Kathmandu Launching ‘School Partnership Program’ to Boost Learning Exchange Between Community and Private Schools

Kathmandu-Acting Chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, has announced the launch of the “Kathmandu School Partnership Program” from the current academic session to strengthen collaboration between community and institutional schools through mutual learning and capacity sharing.

Speaking at an orientation program organized by the Education Department at the National Assembly Hall on Sunday, Dangol said the initiative aims to enhance relationships between schools and improve overall education quality. The program was attended by school management committee chairpersons, principals, resource teachers, and female teachers from community schools.

“We have increased investment in education to develop skilled human resources. The results may not be immediate, but they must be sustainable,” Dangol said. She emphasized the need to ensure optimal use of existing infrastructure, resources, and manpower before seeking additional support. “This is not about asking and givingour responsibilities may differ, but our goal is the same: improving quality together,” she added.

Dangol also urged schools to avoid confusion regarding holidays and assured that a scientific solution will soon be introduced to ensure timely completion of the curriculum and continuation of ongoing activities.Highlighting expectations from teachers, Chini Kaji Maharjan, Coordinator of the Education and Health Committee, stressed the need to make schools capable of educating their own children. “Teachers should not feel the need to send their children to private schools due to dissatisfaction with the standards of community schools,” he said.

Former Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, Prof. Dr. Kedar Bhakta Mathema, shared his views on evolving education systems, noting that recent initiatives by the metropolitan city have positively impacted the quality of community education. He emphasized the importance of technology-based, practical, and skill-oriented learning for producing competent human resources.Representatives from schools also shared their perspectives. Principals Heramba Raj Kandel of Vishwo Niketan Secondary School, Tripureshwor, and Rabina Maharjan of Saraswati Niketan Secondary School highlighted improvements in student engagement and the growing use of technology in classrooms. They called for continued investment, more specialized teacher training, and systems to ensure practical application of training in classrooms.

The metropolitan city has conducted various teacher training programs, including Nepal language training for 172 teachers in community schools and 150 in institutional schools. Additionally, 528 teachers were trained in the creative use of digital boards, 124 early childhood development (ECD) teachers received specialized training, 510 teachers were trained in exam paper preparation and evaluation, and 140 in psychosocial and psychological counseling.The Education Department is currently working on teacher position adjustments in community schools. Under its flagship programs, the city has provided digital boards, invested NPR 150 million in school furniture, and introduced “Book-Free Fridays,” engaging students from grades 4 to 8 in 16 creative skill areas through 682 subgroups.Similarly, skill development classes are being conducted for grade 9 students under the “Education with Skills” program, forming 172 groups. The “Beautiful School Program” has focused on improving classroom and school environments, while development master plans have been prepared for 22 schools to upgrade physical infrastructure.The orientation program was organized to promote accountability among stakeholders and ensure the delivery of quality and life-relevant education.