Kathmandu [Nepal], July 21 – Nepal and the United States have discussed strengthening cooperation in education, technical and vocational training and sports during a meeting between Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel and US Acting Ambassador to Nepal Scott Urbom on Monday.
During the courtesy meeting held at the ministry in Singha Durbar, the two sides discussed Nepal-US relations, areas of mutual interest and ways to make existing cooperation in the education sector more effective.
The discussions also focused on the development of technical and vocational education, promotion of skill-based learning and possible collaboration in the sports sector.
The United States has been supporting Nepal’s education sector for several years including through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which has supported programmes such as Early Grade Reading and Learning and assistance to the College of Education.
During the meeting, Minister Pokharel said Nepal and the US share a historic and trust-based relationship which he expressed hope would further strengthen in the coming days.
Briefing the US envoy on ongoing education reforms, Pokharel said the ministry was working on revising the National Curriculum Framework for school education with a focus on making learning more practical rather than purely theoretical. He also said the revised framework would aim to include sports in the school curriculum from the early stages.
The minister said the government has started assessing the physical infrastructure of schools and would allocate budgets based on their needs. He added that improving infrastructure, educational facilities and teacher training remain key priorities for the ministry.
Pokharel also proposed possible cooperation with the US in areas including safe school infrastructure, digital and smart learning, professional development of teachers and school health and nutrition programmes.
Acting Ambassador Urbom said the US was positive about providing support for the development of Nepal’s education and sports sectors through bilateral cooperation. He said Washington was aware of the reform initiatives being undertaken by Nepal’s Education and Sports Ministry and remained ready to support such efforts.
He also expressed commitment to continued US cooperation in Nepal’s efforts to improve public school education.
