Aagya Khabar,
Bardibas
A comprehensive dialogue program was recently held in Bardibas Municipality with the aim of institutionalizing transparency and accountability in the formulation, budgeting, and implementation of local education policy.
Organized by DSO in coordination with the municipality’s Education, Youth, and Sports Division, the “Dialogue on Education Policy” program witnessed notable participation from elected representatives, teachers, school management committees, education officers, and stakeholders from various sectors of society.
Citizens’ Voices in Education
Chief guest Mayor Prahlad Kumar Kshetri highlighted the municipality’s significant investments in school infrastructure, women’s leadership empowerment, and digital education. “If the ten-year education policy is implemented effectively, Bardibas can soon be declared a literate city,” he stated.
Deputy Mayor Taradevi Mahato shared ongoing initiatives such as skill-based training for women, sign language training, and scholarship programs. She expressed satisfaction over the growing presence of women in leadership roles.
Declining Trust in Public Schools
The Chair of Ward No. 5 pointed out that despite available facilities and capable human resources, parents increasingly prefer private schools over public ones. “We must identify the root causes and work to restore public confidence in government schools,” he said.
Dalit Participation Still Low
Revati Parajuli, Head of the Education Department, shared that Bardibas hosts 50 community, 27 institutional, 3 religious, 5–6 technical schools, and 4 colleges at the undergraduate level, with a total student enrollment of around 25,863. The enrollment rate from grades 1–8 has reached 97.515%, and the literacy rate has surpassed 85%. However, concerns were raised about the persistently low participation of Dalit communities, highlighting the need for increased budget and long-term programming.
Strong Policies, Weak Implementation
The Chair of Ward No. 8 remarked that although policies are well-framed, challenges lie in implementation. “Achieving quality education is impossible without the collaboration of all stakeholders,” he emphasized.
Linking Education with Democratic Practice
The program aimed to ensure citizen engagement in policy formulation, improve teacher management, adopt evidence-based and inclusive policy-making approaches, and strengthen civil society’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.
Encouraging Female Participation
Currently, 495 female teachers are employed in the municipality, with some schools also being led by female principals and management committee heads. The municipality’s gender equality index stands at 0.88.
Aspiration to Become an Educational Hub
Ward No. 1 Chair Bhola Khadka emphasized the need for continued dialogue programs to fulfill Bardibas’s dream of becoming the educational hub of Madhesh Province. “Digital education is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” he stated.
Path Toward Shared Understanding
The discussions openly addressed inequalities in education, lack of access, policy ambiguity, and resource constraints. Participants reached a consensus on the necessity of citizen involvement and shared understanding in the policymaking process.
