Kathmandu: Education, Science, and Technology Minister Ashok Kumar Rai has stated that he implemented the provision in the constitution regarding the right to school education for local bodies with consensus, rather than forgetting it. During a debate on the right to education, Minister Rai clarified that the authority for school education primarily lies with local bodies, and there is no mistake in this regard.

Minister Rai argued that in other countries, the right to education is either with the provinces or the central government, and there is no error in the decision made in Nepal. He stated, “In our country, we have three levels of government, and we have implemented a new practice. We have not made any mistakes, and we have granted the right to school education to local bodies based on consensus. Free education is what we mean.”

He also mentioned that the right to school education is included in the Concurrent List, and a law on education will be issued, coordinating the efforts of the three levels of government. The Education Bill is currently in the parliamentary committee. Minister Rai expressed the goal of getting it passed through the House of Representatives and then ratified in the National Assembly during the upcoming session.

Bhanubhakta Joshi, the Chairman of the Education, Health, and Science and Technology Committee in the Parliament, revealed plans to discuss the bill at the provincial level as well. He stated, “There are many changes in the bill amendment, and when sent for reconsideration, it can be returned immediately. We will strive to pass it with the consensus of everyone, working continuously from the current session.”

Committee member Badri Pandey also echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the bill will come into effect at the provincial level, and once the law is enacted, the rights and responsibilities of the three levels of government will be clarified.