Kathmandu, October 20
The parliamentary Women, Children, Senior Citizens and Social Welfare Committee has directed authorities to stop the practice of granting affiliation to colleges of foreign universities without delay.
At its meeting on Thursday, the parliamentary committee said it has decided to form an education sub-committee for reforms in higher education. The committee directed authorities to stop granting affiliation till the sub-committee prepares and presents a report on the matter.
The directive does not apply to institutions that have already been granted affiliation.
The committee decided to conduct a study after receiving complaints that responsible authorities were granting affiliations to such colleges irresponsibly, and pointed that such institutions were collecting exorbitant fees from students. Committee Chair Ranju Kumari Jha said they will issue further directives to the Ministry of Education after studying the sub-committee’s report.
The education sub-committee comprises 11 members, including Ganesh Man Gurung, Babu Ram Pokharel, Umesh Shrestha, Sri Maya Thakali, Nisha Sah, Sharada Poudel, Teju Lal Chaudhary, Ram Hari Subedi, Laxman Rajbanshi, Anandi Devi Panta and Badri Pandey.
The sub-committee will have to present its report to the committee within 15 days.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Minister for Education Dhani Ram Poudel said they are preparing to present a Higher Education Act in the Parliament as per the new Constitution and inform about progress in the formation of a High-level Commission for drafting education policy and the ongoing process of collecting suggestions on amendment to Education Regulations.
Minister Poudel said his ministry is implementing a 19-point action plan aimed at effecting reforms in the education sector.
