An interaction programme was organized with Excellency Mr. Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University and Ambassador of Nepal to Japanon Current Status of Education in Nepal and Speedy Need for Reform Action..

Introducing Mr. Mathema to the AGM, Ms. Chandni Joshi said that two of them were class fellows during their student time at Tribhuvan University. She mentioned that Mr. Mathema is such an individual, once he opens his mouth something solid can be expected. Despite his positions as Vice-Chancellor and Ambassador Mr. Mathema is simple, approachable and down to the earth person. On behalf of all she welcomed and requested Mr. Mathema at FIPMO AGM.

Before starting the talk program FIPMO members and spouse members present at the AGM gave their introduction in short. Then the floor was given to Mr. Mathema.

His Excellency Mr. Keday Bhakta Mathema

Mr. Mathema thanked FIPMO for inviting him and started the talk stating that he was not an education expert per se, but he had prepared some reports for systematizing and strengthening the schools system in Nepal. He provided some analytical statements comparing the education system in developed countries vis-à-vis the same in Nepal. The culture of University education goes back to 1096 in Oxford and 1209 in Cambridge but the Tribhuvan University was almost a recent phenomenon. He concluded that the some 95 % of the children never dream to go to universities in Nepal. However, since last one decade or so, there has been mushroom growth of schools, colleges and few Universities as well. Most of them are in the private sector and their school education system should be considered better in comparison to Public Schools that are dying whereas the Public School System should have been qualitatively upgraded and strengthened. However, the teachers in the public schools are rather trained and professionals in comparison to private schools that have less trained teachers. However, the zeal and enthusiasm in the private school teachers are much better due to the salary scale and other facilities they enjoy in comparison to the public school teachers. For above reasons the private school teachers are rather dedicated.

He also mentioned some statistics about the enrollment of students in private and public schools and concluded that the only way to provide equal opportunities to children of all groups of population at all levels of education would be to support and upgrade the public school system in Nepal. If the public schools have high education standard, affordable, preferred and equally accessible and available to all in many other countries of the world why cannot Nepal see that the same would be the best way for the country to go to for making the future generation well educated and prepared. A lot of this has to do with the government system in the country that gives more attention to the equitable and quality education. He said that there was a proposal made by his Committee some 20 years ago that Intermediate System in the collages should be abolished and included in the school system. However, it took more than 20 years for the government to realize and implement the same. With this kind of slow decision making for implementation in number of relevant areas the country is compromising with both the quality and quantity of the education of Nepalese children and youth. Mr. Mathema proudly mentioned that he recommended above and continues to remain as devoted advocate of Public School education that should be completely revamped with better school, better teachers, better equipped laboratories, better libraries, better standards and better incentives to all teachers and employees at the Public Schools.

The talk was lively. Number of comments and questions came from the floor and good discussions were taken place that seemed to have been enjoyed by all participants. A question was asked why there was a delay in implementation of the Medical Commission Report headed by Mr. Mathema to which he responded that he was talking only about the school education for this time and would be happy to discuss other issues next time in the future.

Mr. Mathema concluded his talk by stating:

· He is a stunt supporter of quality Public School Education which is the only way of providing equal opportunities to all at every level and the way to better future;

· He believes that country should pay more focus on quality STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) as a matter of priority;

· Profit making initiatives in education should be discouraged to the extent possible;

· FIPMO, as a group of experienced experts, could play a big role by making its opinion and advocating for appropriate education system in the country;

· FIPMO could also be active through a Global Policy Forum in making its opinion;

· When public would like to have quality education through revamped Public education System in place then – every Nepalese should be responsive to support and help.

On behalf of FIPMO Dr. Sharma, thanked Mr. Mathema for an excellent talk. He also presented small but invaluable token of LOVE to Mr. Mathema for his remembrance about FIPMO. Mr. Mathema expressed his pleasure to be with experienced group of intellectual from forum like FIPMO where he not only met his old friends but had earned some new friends as well.

Interaction with Former Vice-Chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema on Education Reform