DK Dhungana is the President of Central PABSON and is a dynamic leader with multiple skills in leading institutions. PABSON member schools are proud of being part of this organization, as it leads the private educational institutions, and has been successful in addressing their issues.

DK Dhungana is the President of Central PABSON and is a dynamic leader with multiple skills in leading institutions. PABSON member schools are proud of being part of this organization, as it leads the private educational institutions, and has been successful in addressing their issues.

However, institutional schools are facing challenges from local governments. These governments often define education policies in their way and interfere with the schools by making their policies. This is a major challenge for PABSON and other institutional schools, and they need to find ways to work with local governments for proper evaluation.

Recently, PABSON President Dhungana shared his opinion with College Readers. Here are some excerpts from him:

The private education sector is facing numerous problems due to the new policies and plans implemented by the local government. What actions can PABSON take to address these issues?

In the present scenario, school-level education is overseen by local governments. However, there is currently no education Act in place, and we hope that this will change soon, leading to the formation of new bylaws. While the central government has assigned responsibility to local governments, it has not provided clear direction or guidelines, resulting in local governments making their own decisions. As a result, there are currently 753 Education Acts in the country, with each of the 753 local levels having its own Act. Local governments are responsible for the direction of government schools and managing all educational bodies in their areas. However, due to the differences in education Acts, there are differences in education standards and evaluation criteria. This has led to a mass of confusion, with representatives of local levels not very well-versed in the education system. Even the specialists hired by local governments cannot guide schools and colleges effectively. If we are unable to solve these problems, we risk losing the uniformity of quality in education. Students at local levels who manage the education sector effectively are more competent.

Is the focus only on government schools and discouraging private institutes at the local level through their policies?

We should avoid discouraging private educational institutes as it may lead to a degradation in the quality of education in the area. While some local governments may be unfair towards private institutes, in other places, good coordination between local government and private educational bodies has led to progress. Local governments should strive to receive maximum benefit from available resources while being mindful of the importance of private institutes in providing quality education.

Local governments are attempting to establish uniform and book policies that would be mandatory in both government and private schools within their local areas. What is your opinion on this matter?

In the past, the government expressed dissatisfaction with private schools for selling uniforms and books, but now they are doing the same business themselves. However, there are several disadvantages of having the same uniform for all students. For instance, it can be difficult to identify a student in case of an emergency. A uniform alone does not guarantee an improvement in the quality of education. To achieve progress, we need cooperation and teamwork. Our constitution has given us the right to do business, and local authorities should not interfere with that right. In my opinion, if the government and private schools agree to do away with school uniforms, there will be more progress in education. We do not need to follow a colonial system. The Private and Boarding Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON) strongly opposes any decision by local authorities to force schools to implement a uniform policy.

What is the local government's role in balancing government and private schools to improve education quality?

The plans and policies made solely by the local government cannot result in progress. We need a culture of coordination, resource exchange, implementation of best practices, and elimination of weaknesses. The aim behind the formation of local governments was to ensure a good connection between the public and the government. Local authorities should identify the strengths of private schools and try to implement them in government schools. Thousands of youths are migrating these days, so we need good educational institutes in our country with adequate facilities. The local government should encourage us to enhance the quality of education, not burden us with it.

After 13 years of advocacy, PABSON finally secured equal scholarship rights for students in private schools as compared to government schools. Could you explain more clearly?

Let me be clear, this is not an act of the government. We filed a case in the Supreme Court in 2068 B.S. due to the reservation of 45% of scholarship seats. There was a provision that private school students could not apply for 45% of scholarship seats. It was against the civil rights of students. Now we have the verdict of the court with no reservation of scholarship seats.

Despite efforts, students still migrate abroad after +2, negatively impacting both higher and school education. What challenges have you observed in school education?

The phenomenon of brain drain can hinder the overall development of a country. We are currently facing challenges in retaining our students and educators within the country, which may lead to a shortage of both in the near future. This can cause schools to shut down and result in a scarcity of doctors and nurses in hospitals and teachers in schools and colleges. To prevent this, we need to create an environment that is conducive to learning and encourages students to pursue their education within the country. Additionally, we should focus on promoting subjects that are beneficial for the development of the nation.

Can private schools implement progressive teaching methods instead of traditional rote learning?

There is a growing trend among schools to adopt progressive pedagogy. Those who do not embrace this new approach may fall behind in the education process. Schools must offer subjects, skills, and technologies that are relevant to the needs of our society and times. The traditional method of rote learning is no longer effective. We live in a digital era where we can attend classes from different countries without leaving our homes. Students are privileged to have access to a plethora of resources, and they must upgrade their skills to stay competitive.

To remain competitive in the global market, private schools must adopt a modern teaching-learning approach with modern facilities. What’s your role in making your member schools be smart for quality enhancement?

We are currently collaborating with universities and various agencies to improve the quality of education. Private schools that can't match the standards of government schools are unable to sustain themselves in the current scenario. We believe that academic changes must be made according to the requirements of the global market and the 21st century. Our vision of progressive education guides us in this direction.

Government schools have excellent infrastructure, transportation facilities, uniforms, extracurricular activities, sports, and English medium teaching practices. They also offer free lunch, making them more accessible to students. If private schools don't have any unique features, fewer students will enroll in them. Therefore, we need to be better than government schools and excel in every aspect to remain competitive in the market. We must be exceptional in subject matters and other activities while being cost-effective.

Although we are making progress towards a more progressive education system, exam grades or marks are still considered to be the most significant factor. For example, the SEE and grade twelve board exams are regarded as critical steps in a student's academic journey. What is your opinion on this matter?

This is all about people's mindset. In the past, we used to place a lot of emphasis on grades and distinctions, and this mentality still exists in some people. For instance, in the SEE examination, students showcase the knowledge they have gained from schools for 14-15 years. However, we should not adopt unethical measures to achieve success.

Education should integrate knowledge, skills, and values. How successful have private schools been in implementing these attributes?

Private educational institutions should have the ability to attract people to their schools, hospitals, and companies. Therefore, we should prioritize addressing social needs. Our objective should always be towards progress. Our students need to be able to compete on a global scale, so we should have a global perspective in our classrooms. Most schools have been successful in integrating knowledge, skills, values, and technology in their classrooms. Due to the establishment of top schools with a progressive learning approach, students who previously went to India for their education are now choosing to study here. Therefore, the government should not forget the contribution of private schools in delivering quality education to students.

What messages would you like to convey to member schools of PABSON?

We are making efforts to ensure that the Education Act is favorable to us. Despite the many challenges we face, we are committed to protecting our members. Schools should establish clear goals and develop a roadmap to follow. I want to assure our member schools that they don't need to worry about education Acts and policies, but instead focus on advancing their schools.