Submit your Article

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghuji Pant has said that the government has not stopped the School Education Bill and that it will be introduced soon.

In response to queries raised MPs on the topic related to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology regarding the ‘Appropriation Bill, 2082’ at the National Assembly meeting today, he said that the bill has been postponed for a few days as there is a need to reach an agreement on some issues.

He said that some issues have been addressed as per the nine-point agreement reached with the Teachers’ Federation and the School Education Bill has been moved forward as per the agreement reached with the Federation. As per the agreement reached with the Teachers’ Federation, the deadline to present the bill was June 29.

The education minister said realizing the importance of the education sector for the country's development and progress, a budget of Rs 211 billion has been allocated for the education sector for the upcoming fiscal year.

Similarly, the Ministry of Urban Development has allocated a budget of Rs 7.47 billion for the reconstruction of schools.

He said that the government has taken necessary initiatives to bring privately funded schools under the ambit of regulation.

Defense Minister Manbir Rai said that the government is taking initiatives to increase the service benefits for the security forces including Nepal Army (NA).

Responding to the queries and concerns raised by parliamentarians on the Appropriation Bill-2082 BS regarding the Ministry of Defense in the National Assembly's meeting today, Minister Rai underscored the need to increase financial resources to secure welfare of the security agencies.

Furthermore, Rai assured that no efforts will be spared to enhance service across all sectors once the national economy recovers.

The Minister informed the Upper House about the government's plan to enforce and expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) program. The program will be implemented in some districts in Terai and some border areas beginning the coming fiscal year 2025/26.

The NCC program aims to instill discipline, leadership qualities, and sportsmanship among youth, fostering dedication and service-oriented leadership.

It is run by Nepal Army and includes two training divisions: Senior and Junior. While the Junior Division engages students from grade 8 to 10, the Senior Division involves students from grade 11 and 12. 

The national budget for the upcoming fiscal year also includes the issue relating to expansion of scope and effectiveness of the NCC program.

Minister Rai, during the meeting, shared that the Nepal Army will be involved in the productive sector thereby contributing the country to become self-reliant.

Iran’s president on Wednesday ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after American and Israeli airstrikes hit its most-important nuclear facilities, likely further limiting inspectors’ ability to track Tehran’s program that had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels, Associated Press reported.

The order by President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, included no timetables or details about what that suspension would entail. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled in a CBS News interview that Tehran still would be willing to continue negotiations with the United States.

“I don’t think negotiations will restart as quickly as that,” Araghchi said, referring to Trump’s comments that talks could start as early as this week. However, he added: “The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”

Hamas suggested Wednesday that it was open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel, but stopped short of accepting a U.S.-backed proposal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza, Associated Press reported.

Trump said Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The U.S. leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire, and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war.

Trump said the 60-day period would be used to work toward ending the war — something Israel says it won’t accept until Hamas is defeated. He said that a deal might come together as soon as next week.

But Hamas’ response, which emphasized its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could materialize into an actual pause in fighting, according to Associated Press.