Opinion | Nepal’s education budget must fund thinking, not just schooling
Summary
Nepal aims to prepare children for an AI-driven future but underfunds education, risking the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary in classrooms.
Key Points
- Nepal commits to 20% of national budget for education but spends only 10-11%, underfunding key classroom needs.
- Effective education funding requires prioritizing teachers, classroom quality, and learning outcomes, not just budget increases.
- Examples from Peru and Vietnam show education success depends on investment tied to reforms and strong social emphasis on learning.
- Nepal must shift from focusing on schooling infrastructure to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and local relevance in education.
