Educational Policy, Law and Constitutional Provisions on Education in Nepal
This is the most fact-sensitive domain. Anchor everything to the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 (2015), and to the Education Act 2028 (1971) as amended.
Constitutional core
Article 31 (Right relating to education) guarantees free and compulsory basic education, free education up to the secondary level as provided by law, prohibits discriminatory treatment in education, guarantees communities the right to mother-tongue education up to the basic level and the right to open and run schools, and secures Braille and sign-language access for persons with visual or hearing impairment. Article 32 protects language and culture; Article 39 protects children's rights against exploitation; Articles 40 and 42 address Dalit and social-justice inclusion; Article 51 contains directive principles on education. Education is a shared competence across the three tiers, with local governments responsible for basic education and provinces for secondary and higher secondary education.
Statutes and policies
Education Act 2028 and Education Rules 2059; Act Relating to Free and Compulsory Education, 2075; National Education Policy 2076; National Curriculum Framework 2076 (basic level 8 years, secondary 4 years); inclusive education policy; teacher professional development framework. Institutions: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Centre for Education and Human Resource Development; Curriculum Development Centre; Education Review Office; National Examination Board (which replaced HSEB for school-leaving examinations); Teacher Service Commission; universities and the University Grants Commission. Historic landmarks: Nepal National Education Planning Commission 2014 BS (1956), National Education System Plan 2028, EFA, School Sector Reform Plan, School Sector Development Plan, and SDG 4.
Traps
- Quoting Article 31 as guaranteeing free higher education; it does not.
- Confusing the right to mother-tongue education (basic level) with a right to instruction in any language at all levels.
- Mixing the roles of NEB (examinations), ERO (review and assessment) and CDC (curriculum).
- Assuming education is a purely federal or purely local subject.
Rule of thumb
For provision questions, cite in the order: Constitution article, then Act, then Regulation, then policy document. A provision absent from the Constitution can still be lawful if an Act provides it - but the reverse claim is always false.