Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel announces new curriculum amid local dispute

Nepal’s Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, has announced plans to introduce a new curriculum starting from the next academic session. The government is currently conducting groundwork to revise existing curricula to meet modern student needs, including the integration of artificial intelligence and an emphasis on practical and technical education. A task force is collecting suggestions from stakeholders nationwide to inform these changes, and the government expects to introduce the School Education Bill soon to address systemic issues.

However, the efforts to collect local input faced disruption during a program in Siraha organized by Aurahi Rural Municipality. A dispute broke out when local officials and teachers expressed dissatisfaction regarding the conduct of the event and the lack of opportunity for local representatives to speak. The situation escalated when the mobile phone of Aurahi Rural Municipality Chair Santosh Yadav was allegedly seized while he was recording the proceedings. Following the commotion, Minister Pokharel cut his remarks short and departed the venue with security assistance.