Jul 06, Kathmandu - Khadendra Karna, a Member of Parliament from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has criticized the government for failing to deliver tangible results despite allocating billions of rupees to the education sector. Speaking during a session of the House of Representatives on Monday, he highlighted alarming issues such as declining student enrollment in community schools, a shortage of permanent teachers, and the prevalence of double enrollment, all pointing to a worsening public education crisis.

Karna reminded that the Constitution of Nepal guarantees education as a fundamental right but expressed concern that, in practice, citizens are unable to access quality education.  

“Article 31 of our Constitution establishes education as a fundamental right, promising free and compulsory basic education and free secondary education. However, the reality today is vastly different,” he stated.

He questioned the effectiveness of the government’s spending, noting that approximately 70 million students are enrolled across the country while significant budgets have been allocated to education.  

“The government spends billions on education every year, but what are the results? I want to ask the Education Ministry,” Karana said.

Reiterating concerns from earlier, he pointed out irregularities in midday meal programs and noted that student enrollment continues to decline in community schools. According to a 2082 report from the Ministry of Education, over 40% of community schools lack full-time headteachers.

Karna criticized the government’s teacher management policies, revealing that out of 180,103 teachers in community schools, only 49% are permanent. The remaining teachers are on relief, contractual, or temporary arrangements.  

“Decades-long practice of hiring relief and contract teachers without permanent appointments through the Teachers Service Commission has weakened the system,” he asserted.

He also highlighted the issue of double enrollment and false student records, accusing families with access to private schools of registering their children in community schools to avail government facilities and scholarships—an illegal act that jeopardizes the future of the nation.  

“Students attending private schools but appearing in community school exams is not only a legal violation but also a grave threat to society and the nation’s future,” Karan warned.

Furthermore, he expressed concern over the employment of over 150,000 qualified teachers with valid licenses who remain unemployed, while more than half of the teachers in schools are on temporary or relief contracts.  

“While thousands of qualified youth remain jobless, over 50% of teachers in schools are on temporary or relief roles—this is a game with students’ futures,” he concluded.