Teaching Without Training: A Risky Policy Shift in Nepal

Summary

Nepal's lawmakers are considering a policy to allow non-education graduates to take the teacher licensing exam, potentially undermining the professional standards of teaching by waiving mandatory teacher education.

Key Points
  • Nepal's Parliamentary Committee proposes allowing graduates from any field to take the teacher licensing exam, removing the prior requirement of an education degree.
  • Waiving certification risks deprofessionalizing teaching and might attract short-term job seekers rather than committed educators.
  • High-performing countries maintain rigorous teacher education and certification to uphold teaching quality and professional status.
  • Nepal’s current teacher education system faces challenges like low entry standards, lack of quality assurance, and outdated curricula that require comprehensive reform.
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