Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Centre for Education and Human Resource Development (CEHRD) under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has directed all schools across the country to fully implement the five-day academic week system introduced by the government from the academic session 2079 BS.
Issuing a circular to Education Development and Coordination Units of all 77 districts, 753 local units, and all schools on Tuesday, the CEHRD said the cabinet decision made on April 5, which granted educational institutions two weekly public holidays on Saturdays and Sundays, must be enforced.
The CEHRD issued the circular after some local governments allowed schools under their jurisdiction to operate classes on Sundays.
According to the circular, schools have been instructed to conduct full-time teaching and learning activities from Monday to Friday while adjusting teaching hours in line with the approved curriculum. Schools are also required to allocate 15 minutes daily for assembly or prayer sessions and 30 minutes for snack or lunch breaks.
The CEHRD has instructed its subordinate units, local governments and schools to reduce the 45-day winter and summer vacation period to 30 days.
Similarly, schools have been asked to manage internal assessments for the first and second trimesters during regular teaching days or in ways that do not disrupt classes. “Schools can utilize up to 12 days at the end of the academic year for final examinations and publication of results,” the circular added.
The CEHRD has also said that schools must be encouraged to assign multidisciplinary project work involving community and family engagement, reference materials and information technology-related activities on Fridays.
