[Nepal] - UNESCO, MoEST to validate new resource book on regional education preparation for inclusive and gender-responsive education in Nepal

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 23UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST), held a two-day validation
workshop on 21-22 October 2024 to complete a new resource book on Local Education Planning
The workshop combined over 30 policymakers, specialists, advancement partners, and federal government representatives to boost the
capability of local towns in designing and carrying out education plans that cater to varied populations
Partnership with private sector essential for nationwide success: Tourism Minister Pandey Science reporter Karki honored with prestigious
Science and Technology Journalism Award 2024 This comprehensive resource book aims to empower towns throughout Nepal to create and execute
education plans to their local needs, cultivating transformative, inclusive, and sustainable education systems.Emphasizing the value of the
workshop, Deepak Sharma, Director General of CEHRD, the ministry of educations Center for Education and Human Resource Development,
specified, Our goal is to orient and assist all municipalities in developing their local education strategies
The federal government already has a preparation standard in location, and this resource book will help in emerging and carrying out the
strategy
Similarly, Baikuntha Aryal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education Science and Technology highlight the need of additional resource to
facilitate the procedure of regional education preparation
After the federalization, Nepal advances in decentralizing its education system and city governments are tasked with developing localized
education strategies
To ensure these strategies are inclusive and aligned with global dedications, UNESCO has actually been supporting local governments in both
the advancement and execution of these strategies
The resource book, now being settled, will be instrumental in supporting local governments efficiently plan and carry out education systems
that accommodate diverse populations, consisting of women, youth, and marginalized neighborhoods
This workshop is vital in guaranteeing that the resource book reflects the diverse educational needs of municipalities.From the lessons
found out through the development of the regional education plan and the appraisal done thereafter for the pilot municipalities, and
international practices, it provides actionable guidance for city governments beyond the targeted areas
Through seminar, analysis, and discussions, policymakers, professionals, development partners and government authorities have contributed
valuable input to shape the last resource book
This practical guide will support local governments to develop, appraise, and implement education plans tailored to their particular
contexts
It is essential that the standards in the resource book matter and practical for all local governments
The book must resolve local contexts, prospective gaps, and offer assistance during the advancement and execution of regional education
plans, stated Am Gagnon- Senior Programme Specialist -Data and Evidence Lead from UNESCOs International Institute for Educational Planning
(IIEP) highlighting the value of collaborative efforts in between UNESCO, Nepals federal government, and IIEP for the future of education in
Nepal.The initiative to develop contextualized, inclusive education strategies began with an orientation in December 2022, guiding regional
and provincial federal governments in focusing on educational needs
These strategies address formal and non-formal education, environment modification, culture, ethnic background, gender, and youth point of
views
Building on this momentum, 7 towns representing all seven provinces of Nepal have currently established their education plans
The training and guidance supplied by IIEP have contributed in enhancing the technical skills of local government authorities in areas such
as preparation, resource management, and budgeting.Other towns throughout Nepal are also in the procedure of establishing their plans
UNESCO and IIEPs technical support have actually been key in bridging the space between local education needs and nationwide policies,
empowering regional leaders to develop education plans rooted in native understanding and boosted by digital tools like media and details
literacy.Reiterating the collaboration between UNESCO and the government for strengthening education systems, particularly at the policy
level, Dhruba Raj Regmi, Chief of Education at UNESCO, worried on the development of a singular guiding book to more extend and enhance the
efforts
Theres an urgent requirement for practical, easy to use standards for all regional bodies
Once completed, the resource book in advancement will support these efforts to enhance education at the regional level in Nepal, Regmi
stated.Through the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Literacy Programme, funded by Government of Norway, Finland, Sweden and
Iceland, UNESCO effectively assisted seven city government bodies from across Nepal in creating gender-responsive and inclusive education
strategies in 2015
Structure on this development, the existing workshop is pivotal in completing the resource book
Once verified, this book will be a valuable asset for city government throughout Nepal, offering them with the tools and knowledge to
produce context-driven, inclusive education plans.This initiative is a presentation of the ongoing collaboration between UNESCO, MoEST, and
city governments, ensuring that education in Nepal is both fair and forward-looking, contributing to a more inclusive and transformative
future
This short article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com