Kathmandu – Education programs initiated by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), in coordination with national and international academic frameworks, have been declared effective and impactful, especially in fostering innovation in education.
According to KMC officials, intergovernmental collaboration has helped bring educational benefits to children, creating an environment where governments at all levels have begun to take ownership of and support such innovative programs.
This was highlighted during the two-day educational conference titled “Educational Conference on Enabling Innovations in Education Planning and Implementation”, which began Friday at the National Assembly Hall and The W Pavilion in Kathmandu. The sessions on the first day underscored the positive outcomes of the city’s educational reform programs.
The conference, which continues through today, is focusing on both the strengths and challenges encountered in implementing KMC’s innovation-driven educational plans.
A former member of the National Planning Commission emphasized that quality education can be accessible to the general public through public institutions, provided reforms are effectively implemented.
Urban Planning Commission member Engineer Shailendra Jha presented on Kathmandu’s educational innovations, stating that the programs have been designed by aligning students’ and parents’ interests with present-day educational needs. He further added that these practices will be enhanced and institutionalized with the support of national and international experts.
Former Bhutanese Education Minister Thakur S. Paudel presented on the topic “My Green School: A Model for Restorative Learning and Human Flourishing.”
Parallel sessions covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)
- Digital teaching-learning initiatives
- Teacher College programs for continuous professional development
- Educational infrastructure and innovative engineering approaches
- Impact of Nepal’s education laws
- Evolving nature of foreign aid in education
- Literacy practices and future-focused education systems
Key discussion themes included:
- Investment in and utilization of early education structures
- Lessons from global practices and their localization
- Green and smart schools
- Child-centered learning environments
Experts from six countries, including Bhutan and India, and representatives from organizations working in educational transformation participated in the event. Many praised Kathmandu’s “Book-Free Friday” initiative, noting similar efforts in their own regions and expressing interest in adapting the model.
The conference ensured participation from all levels of government—federal, provincial, and local—as well as from multi-sectoral partners, resource teachers, education officers, school inspectors, headteachers, students, parents, and community representatives.
KMC has increased its investments in four key pillars of educational reform: infrastructure, learning materials, human capital development, and governance for sustainability. Under the “Book-Free Friday” program, integrated learning is practiced from early childhood to grade 3, creative learning from grades 4 to 8, and skill-based education for grades 9 and 10.
To promote creative learning, 25 new curriculum subjects have been implemented, along with 10 vocational subjects under the skills program. These initiatives, coupled with reading culture promotion, remedial classes, and technology access, have contributed to 78% pass rates in the SEE exams, with 50% of students passing non-graded assessments.
Prior to the conference, KMC held an educational roundtable discussion in April as a precursor, followed by the Kathmandu Education Fest. These events, organized in phases, have helped gather feedback and suggestions from various stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, school managers, elected officials, government representatives, and national and international institutions.
Based on the insights gathered from these dialogues, KMC plans to draft future educational policies and action plans, according to Education Officer Keshav Gyawali.
