Balen’s positive interventions in education sector

KATHMANDU: Significant improvements have been observed in Kathmandu’s education sector due to the positive interventions of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah. Over the past year, Shah has focused on ensuring the professional security of teachers, enhancing the physical infrastructure of schools, and improving the teaching and learning environment.

Teachers say they have noticed the positive impact of Shah’s interventions in the classroom, and that teaching and learning activities have become more effective. Stakeholders believe that education in community schools has gradually improved since Balen began showing his concerns.

However, those who engage in protests, hoisting political party flags, and making various demands outside the classroom find Balen’s actions unbearable. This is because Balen has prohibited students and teachers from community schools in the metropolitan city from participating in any political activities.

Monthly salary distribution

A recent development that has brought smiles to the faces of community school teachers is the provision of distributing their salary every month. Previously, they received their salaries every four months, which posed challenges in managing their monthly expenses.

“The new decision has provided great relief to teachers, especially those living in rented apartments. Getting paid every four months was difficult for them. All the teachers have welcomed this new development,” said Narayan Prasad Gautam, principal of Padmodaya Secondary School.

Although some schools in the metropolis have been paying monthly salaries from internal sources, most schools distribute salaries every four months.

The metropolis has established a fund of Rs 300 million to facilitate monthly salary payments to teachers starting from the new fiscal year, which begins in mid-July.

Principals of community schools say that the decision to increase their monthly allowances has motivated them to work more effectively.

Regular teacher training

Another positive initiative is the intensive teacher training focused on teaching and learning. After revising the school curriculum, the metropolis is providing training to teachers at different levels. According to the Education Department of the KMC, training for primary-level teachers has been completed, and training for basic and secondary-level teachers is currently underway.

ID cards for teachers! KMC has also issued new ID cards for teachers, marking the first time teachers have been provided with such identity cards. The identity cards carry the emblem of the Government of Nepal.

Teachers express their pride in carrying an identity card displaying the national emblem.

Learning while doing program

The ‘No Book Friday’ program launched by the metropolis conveys a positive message. Through this program, students have started learning practical skills alongside their academic studies.

Under the ‘Skills in Education’ program, students receive training in various areas such as mobile and electronic equipment repair, wiring and electrical connections, beauty arts and hair styling, agriculture and urban farming, fashion design and sewing, and more.

The KMC believes that this approach will promote basic technical knowledge and skills among students.

Additionally, the KMC plans to introduce vocational education in community schools from the coming fiscal year to engage students. The metropolis has allocated Rs 500 million for various programs in different community schools.

Nepal Bhasha in the curriculum

All schools in KMC, including institutional schools, have started teaching Nepal Bhasha from Grades 1 to 8. The KMC’s Education Department has prepared 200 teachers to conduct Nepal Bhasha classes.

According to Gautam, activities such as cleaning and beautifying the premises of community schools, and assigning nurses and social facilitators in each school, have had positive effects on learning. The KMC is also investing in restroom construction and upgrades, distributing sanitary pads free of cost, and ensuring clean drinking water facilities.

Regulation of institutional schools Balen’s focus is not limited to academic reforms in public schools. Under his leadership, KMC is actively involved in regulating institutional schools. Balen’s concerns extend from syllabi to student