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In a world where technology and social media dominate nearly every aspect of life, it is crucial to recognize both their benefits and limitations. People of all age groups use digital platforms for various purposes, but this adoption also comes with challenges, particularly in parenting.

Rama Poudel from Kathmandu shared how digital technology has impacted parenting styles. Poudel said, “Children have access to smartphones and the internet at an early age, so we parents should learn how to monitor what they are doing.”

According to DataReportal, Nepal had 39m mobile connections in early 2025. While some of these connections only include services like SMS and voice calls, this figure indicates that mobile devices have become widespread, and it is likely that many children have access to a phone.

When asked about his daily screen time, an eighth grader said, “I sometimes use my phone for three to four hours a day.” His response underscores the growing responsibility that parents have in safeguarding their children’s well-being.

According to UNESCO, excessive use of mobile phones can negatively impact learning. Beyond academics, prolonged screen time also affects the overall holistic development of a child. 

Sunika Joshi, mental health expert, noted that while technology is advancing rapidly, public awareness of its harm remains limited. “There’s a huge gap between the users' knowledge and effective ways to mitigate the impact of technology,” she said.  ”It is essential to understand its pros and cons of technology.”

Sima Karki, a school counsellor, has observed a noticeable change in students’ behaviour. “They can’t focus on a specific topic for a long time as they have the frequent habit of watching short videos,” she said. “I think this is an alarming trend that could disrupt children’s ability to concentrate.”

Digital device use among kids also impacts their physical and mental health. Joshi said that children who spend excessive time on electronic gadgets face several challenges, such as irritability, behavioural problems, lack of concentration, memory issues, and social difficulties. “Children learn through human interaction and observation, but when confined to information from mobile devices, they miss out on vital face-to-face experiences,” she said.

According to a study published in The Lancet Global Health by researchers from the World Health Organization and academic partners, nearly one-third (31 percent) of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8bn people, did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. The figure has increased by around 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022.

This result shows that due to a lack of physical activity, many people are at risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke. The highest rates of physical inactivity were observed in the Asia Pacific region, followed by South Asia.

Similarly, these patterns also affect children, many of whom spend more time on phones and less time being physically active. Joshi warned that a sedentary routine can lead to anxiety and depression.

“Children should be outdoors playing,” she said. “But trapped behind the screen, they are likely to experience several health and mental issues.”

Understanding this phenomenon of digital dependence and use, some parents have tried to adopt a healthier practice for their children. Kripa Rai, a parent from Kathmandu, said she tries to spend time with her eight-year-old son, helping him with his homework, and involve him in minor household activities.

“It is a way to limit his screen time and engage him in activities that help him learn practical skills,” said Rai. “This has also helped strengthen our relationship.” 

According to UNICEF, children can learn best when they feel safe and nurtured. So, a proper and supportive connection is pivotal for a child’s brain development and confidence building.

Joshi said mobile phones often serve as a conduit to escape reality for children facing family conflict. “Their favourite hobby should be discovered beyond the screen,” she advised. “Parents must be accountable for their children’s welfare and seek solutions.”

Parents should gradually introduce limits—such as setting thirty minutes of phone use and encouraging an hour of reading—to build their children’s discipline. Physical activity remains equally important. At home, children can engage in stretching or simple exercise movement activities, as the body needs to stay fit and calm.

It is the parents who have the vital role in guiding how their children spend their time, especially in an age dominated by technology. The guidance they provide can serve as a model for cultivating healthy habits. By modelling healthy habits, nurturing relationships, and encouraging activities like journaling, art, craft, painting, and creative works, parents can help children thrive in a world that is both digital and real. 

“Social media life and social life must be kept  separate, and maintaining a balanced relationship between them is most essential,” said Joshi.

The KP Sharma Oli-led government has completed one year in office, delivering a mixed record on its promises. Two major parties came together pledging to ensure political stability, especially after the CPN (Maoist Center), the third-largest party, had repeatedly shifted alliances—often playing the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML against each other.

One notable outcome over the past year is a degree of government stability, if not full political stability. The current NC-UML coalition appears relatively stable and is unlikely to collapse in the near future, though questions about its longevity persist.

Despite the coalition’s stability, the government has failed to curb the frequent transfers of high-level bureaucrats, which has severely disrupted the functioning of government agencies. At the provincial level, however, there is now more stability, ending the earlier pattern of frequent changes in chief ministers and governors.

When the coalition was formed, both parties had agreed to amend the constitution. However, there has been no progress on that front, drawing criticism from opposition parties and the general public. The parties seem uncertain whether to first assess the constitution’s implementation or proceed directly with amendments. “The slow progress clearly shows that NC and UML raised the amendment issue without a well-thought-out plan,” says political analyst Chandra Dev Bhatta. “It’s a complex issue that requires delicate handling.”

While the NC and Madhes-based parties have discussed constitutional amendment internally, there has been no broader cross-party effort. Parties remain deeply divided on the matter, with each inclined to revive their core agendas from the constitution-drafting process.

The 2015 constitution was a compromise among parties with competing priorities. Reviving the amendment issue risks hardening those old positions, making any changes unlikely. Prime Minister Oli himself has repeatedly said that constitutional amendments are unlikely before 2027. Within the NC, the faction led by senior leader Shekhar Koirala has criticized the government for its inaction on this front.

On the economic front, there have been signs of modest recovery. To recommend reform measures, the government formed a high-level panel led by Rameshwor Khanal, which has already submitted its report. It remains to be seen how the government will act on its recommendations.

Though the economy underperformed over the past year, some recovery has been observed. According to the Asian Development Bank, Nepal’s economy is expected to grow by 4.4 percent in the current fiscal year, up from an estimated 3.9 percent in FY 2023/24. Consumer inflation has also declined to 2.72 percent, down from four percent last year.

However, with just days left in the 2024/25 fiscal year, more than half of the development budget remains unspent. According to the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), only 46.59 percent of the capital budget had been utilized as of July. Of the Rs 352.35bn allocated, just Rs 164.15bn has been spent.

On the external front, Prime Minister Oli paid an official visit to China, where he signed a long-pending framework agreement. While this caused some unease within the Nepali Congress, it has not led to significant rifts between the coalition partners. Projects selected under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework have yet to show any real progress. The Prime Minister has also made other bilateral visits, and preparations are underway for his upcoming visit to India, which is expected to take place soon.

The heat is becoming unbearable, so much so that fans won’t just cut it. The sales of coolers and air conditioners have shot up. Kathmandu has never felt so hot and oppressing. Even the random rains, and there have been plenty, don’t do much to bring down the temperature. Many people the ApEx spoke to confessed of taking multiple showers in a day or having the cooler or AC on all day which dries out their skin. According to experts, the hot weather is only set to get worse so it’s best to be prepared. Here, we have a list of things you can do to summer proof your home that have been tried and approved by our readers. 

Don’t underestimate the power of cross ventilation 

Cross breeze can really cool at home, but most of us underestimate its power and don’t open enough or the right windows. In the morning, open the curtains and the windows, making sure windows that are opposite each other aren’t shut. This helps bring fresh air in and push stale air out. Cross ventilation can significantly cool a room and reduce the need of fans or air conditioning. The only thing to keep in mind is that the outlet opening should be equal in size or larger than the inlet opening. This facilitates efficient airflow.

Strategically close the curtains

Most of us open the curtains after we wake up in the morning and close them when it gets dark at night. But did you know that closing the south facing and the west facing curtains during the hottest part of the day can help keep the heat out? You can also install blinds in the windows in these directions to keep sunlight out during hot afternoons. Close your curtains or blinds from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you are going out, close the curtains to keep the rooms from heating up. This simple trick can help you lower your electricity bills. 

Use natural and light fabrics

Have you ever sat on the leather sofa during the summer? Do you recall how sticky and uncomfortable the experience was? Materials like leather, suede, silk, and polyester tend to trap heat thus making for uncomfortable summer upholstery. We’re not suggesting that you change your couch if you have a leather or a PU one. You can simply put a throw, one that is made of linen or cotton, over it. Switch out your cushion covers from thick velvet ones to those made from hemp, linen, or cotton. Light fabrics are more breathable and allow for better airflow. Experience better sleep during the summer simply by switching to lighter bedsheets and pillow covers. 

Use fans efficiently

Fans help cool a space by moving air around but most of us use it to cool down by blowing it directly on our faces and bodies when we feel hot. This usually dries out our nasal passages, throats, and skin as well. It’s a good idea to set up fans in places where air seems to be stagnant or use them to draw outside air to warm areas of the house by placing them in the direction of the breeze. Make sure the blades run in counterclockwise direction. You must also use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to keep hot air from mixing with indoor air and leading to overheating. Turn them on without fail when cooking or taking showers. 

Treat your roof

One of our readers used large tarps to cover the rooftop of our house. This, she says, made the bedrooms at least a few degrees cooler. You can opt for a UV reflective paint that can help bring the temperature down of the entire house. There are many options available in the market these days. Roof guard coatings help reflect harmful UV rays and limit heat absorption. Alternatively, you can also set up large umbrellas to cover major areas or install shades to keep sunlight from directly shining on the roof. Choose your options considering your budget but term solutions are usually one-time investments. 

Avoid heat-producing appliances whenever possible

If your house is feeling impossibly warm during the summers, try giving your heat producing appliances a miss whenever possible. The stove, oven, and even the clothes dryer generate a lot of heat when used. Go back to the traditional way of hanging your clothes to dry in the sunlight. Try to have simple meals that don’t require much cooking. Limit the use of the oven. You can even opt to use an outdoor grill to barbecue meat and vegetables. Switch up your cooking routine by choosing meals that don’t require heating like salads and sandwiches. Avoid extended uses of small appliances like toasters, sandwich presses, and even microwaves. 

Outdoor changes for indoor cooling

We tend to focus on cooling our houses from the inside, but we forget that there are a few important things we can do to keep the heat from coming in. One of the easiest ways to prevent outdoor heat from moving indoors is to plant trees and large shrubs in your garden or in large planters by your windows and doors. Consider planting trees and shrubs in the south and west directions of your home. If you have a cemented patio or an outdoor area, consider updating it with some porous material as this will allow rainwater to absorb into the ground and lower temperature through evaporative cooling effect. Install an awning or pergola to shield the west windows from hot afternoon rays. 

Private schools exemplify excellence in education, fostering an innovative learning environment. Yet behind their achievement is a tricky issue that seems overlooked: succession planning for future leaders. It is an essential part of the procedure to maintain competent leadership that can sustain the school’s legacy. This entails identification and development of future leaders in private schools to ensure that operations continue unhindered when key personnel leave.

Private schools flourished in Nepal After the restoration of democracy in 1990. They provided good education compared to government-run schools. Today, the majority of private schools are still under the ownership of individuals who founded them. They are yet to relinquish power to the next generation. 

With the increase in private school numbers it is important to caution the owners on the issues they are likely to encounter in case they fail to plan ahead. The problem was raised during an international conference in Kathmandu, where many school owners shared that they were considering selling their institutions due to a lack of succession planning. This scenario raises questions about institutional stability and the  well-being of its staff in case the leadership transition is mishandled.

The barriers to effective succession planning are deeply rooted. Many school leaders lack awareness of its long-term importance, while cultural norms and family dynamics often obstruct smooth leadership transitions. Compounding the problem, immediate operational demands frequently overshadow strategic planning, leaving institutions without clear pathways for future leadership. The absence of an organizational culture that prioritizes talent development further exacerbates the issue, creating a vacuum when experienced leaders step down.

The consequences of neglecting succession planning are severe and far-reaching. Sudden leadership gaps breed uncertainty, eroding staff morale and institutional performance. Perhaps most critically, the departure of seasoned leaders results in the irreversible loss of institutional knowledge—the accumulated wisdom, relationships, and expertise that define a school’s identity and competitive edge. Without proper succession mechanisms, schools risk losing not only their direction but their very ability to adapt in an increasingly complex educational environment.

At its core, succession planning is about safeguarding institutional futures. It transcends mere replacement, serving instead as a strategic process to identify, nurture, and prepare the next generation of leaders. When done effectively, it ensures continuity of mission, preserves organizational memory, and provides stability through periods of transition. For Nepal’s private schools, this process is not a theoretical exercise but an existential imperative—one that determines whether institutions will flourish or fade in the coming decades.

The solution lies in treating leadership development as an ongoing institutional priority rather than a reactive measure. Schools must cultivate leadership pipelines by identifying high-potential candidates early, providing them with progressive responsibilities, and embedding mentorship into the organizational culture. This requires shifting from short-term thinking to long-term investment in human capital, ensuring that every leadership transition strengthens rather than weakens the institution.

For Nepal’s private education sector to thrive amid rapid societal changes, succession planning must move from periphery to priority. By confronting this challenge head-on—through awareness-building, cultural adaptation, and strategic foresight—schools can transform a looming crisis into an opportunity for renewal. The stakes extend beyond individual institutions; the quality of Nepal’s future education system hinges on today’s decisions about tomorrow’s leaders. Those who recognize this imperative and act decisively will not only secure their legacies but elevate the entire educational ecosystem for generations to come.

The author is  PhD Scholar at Symbiosis International University