Equal opportunity to and benefit of quality education should be guaranteed: PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed on the need of distribution of equal opportunity of quality education encompassing the backward classes, regions, gender and nationalities in the mainstream of education.
He has said it is inevitable to ensure equal opportunity and benefit by removing the inequalities existing in education at all levels and opportunities at the province and local levels. In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Education Day today, the Prime Minister asserted that the government is committed to increase the share of the national budget in the education sector to achieve the sustainable development goal and also to have the School Education Bill, 2081 discussed and passed by Parliament.
The National Education Day commemorates the day the Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2075 was issued to implement the fundamental right to education guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal. The government began celebrating National Education Day on Ashoj 2 starting last year, based on the date of the certification of the "Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2075," which was enacted to implement the fundamental rights outlined in the constitution.
This year the day is being observed with the slogan, "Knowledge, Science, Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Originality: Partnership and Systemic Competence." The PM expressed his happiness that the National Education Day is being celebrated across the country by organizing various programs.
The Head of the Government said there is a situation in which all the three tiers of the government needed to enhance partnership in investment based on mutual coordination, collaboration and co-existence for achieving the goals of compulsory and free basic education and free secondary education.
"It is necessary to utilize the existing investment and resources in an effective and productive manner and to produce citizens and build society with moral character, and to promote employment, through quality education," PM Oli said.
As the Prime Minister said, the teaching-learning from school education, the general/technical education to higher education needs to be made inclusive and of quality in order to achieve the global sustainable development goals by 2030.
He also insisted on developing all the education institutions into the center of excellence in knowledge and making education as the means for achieving the national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.'
Nepal-Canada foreign minister-level meeting in the offing
Nepal and Canada are holding bilateral talks today.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba, who is in Ottawa to attend the 'Women's Foreign Ministers Meeting' to be held in Toronto, Canada, on October 19 and 24, is scheduled to hold talks with a delegation led by Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly.
According to the Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa, Foreign Minister Deuba is scheduled to attend a meeting with the office-bearers of the Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Parliamentary Hill and a reception to be hosted by the Embassy on the occasion of the National Day.
Minister Deuba, who arrived in Canada on Tuesday to attend the meeting at the friendly invitation of Canadian Foreign Minister Jolie, was received at The Montreal International Airport by Nepal's Ambassador to Canada Bharat Raj Poudyal, Nepali embassy staff as well as courtesy officials of the Canadian government.
Nepal’s key agenda in the UN meeting
Nepal will present its positions and policies on a broad range of national, regional, and global issues at the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), according to top officials.
In a recent address to Parliament, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli outlined his intentions for the UN forum. “Nepal has its own policies, viewpoints, and challenges, along with our achievements,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to sharing Nepal’s progress and challenges with the global community while seeking international cooperation where necessary.
Prime Minister Oli is set to travel to New York this week to participate in the annual UN meeting. Officials indicate that he will spotlight Nepal’s key political milestones, including the 2015 Constitution and its defining features. Oli will also outline Nepal’s vision of democracy, making the distinction between democracy and anarchism.
Oli will also reaffirm Nepal’s foreign policy fundamentals, particularly its emphasis on relations with neighboring countries. In his Parliament address, Oli reiterated that Nepal’s foreign relations are guided by the principle of “amity with all, enmity with none.” He added that Nepal’s foreign policy is anchored in the UN Charter, non-alignment, non-interference in internal political affairs, and a firm stance against external interference.
Nepal is also expected to express its concerns regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East. Additionally, climate change will feature prominently in Oli’s address to the UN assembly, with the prime minister planning to raise awareness about its impact on Nepal’s Himalayan region. “I will draw attention to the link between melting Himalayan glaciers and rising sea levels,” Oli said, stressing that this is not just a regional issue but a global concern.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last year expressed alarm over the effects of climate change on Nepal, noting that it faces severe impacts due to the climate crisis. “Nepal is one of the countries suffering the most, and other South Asian nations may soon face similar threats from receding glaciers,” Guterres said in a 2023 address to Nepal’s Parliament. “What is happening in this country as a result of climate change is an appalling injustice and a searing indictment of the fossil fuel age.”
On the sidelines of the UNGA, Prime Minister Oli will attend the “Summit of the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” focusing on securing a sustainable future for humanity and the planet. The prime minister plans to present Nepal’s views on critical issues, including the protection of children and the environment. He will also address the challenges faced by small island nations due to rising sea levels, linking them to the broader issue of climate change impacting mountainous countries like Nepal.
Preserving ecosystems will be another priority for Oli at the UN. He told Parliament that he plans to discuss the interconnectedness of mountain and ocean ecosystems, underscoring the need for global cooperation in environmental preservation. Additionally, Prime Minister Oli is expected to participate in discussions on drug-related problems, a growing concern for Nepal, though he did not elaborate on specific details.
Prime Minister Oli assured Parliament that all his statements at the UN would be made public, and he pledged to provide a detailed report to lawmakers upon his return. “I want to assure the honorable members that after my return, I will report to the House about everything I did and said. All my statements will be available to the media—nothing will be kept secret,” Oli said.
Festival protects culture, ancient civilization: President Paudel
President Ram Chandra Paudel has extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers on the occasion of the Indra Jatra festival today. He wished for peace, prosperity and happiness.
During the festival, the God of rains and good harvest, Indra, and living Goddess Kumari are worshiped. Similarly, chariot procession of Lord Ganesh and Bhairav is held.
We pay obeisance to God Indra for the good harvest, which reflects human relations with nature, President Paudel reminded, adding that such native festival helps protect ancient civilization.
The festival is celebrated especially in the districts of Kathmandu Valley, and adjoining Kavrepalanchowk and Dolakha districts.
"I believe the festival helps foster national unity, harmony and good will among the people from diverse cultures, languages and regions," the President stated in the message of best wishes.
He further wished the festival inspired all to work for social justice and economic prosperity with balanced and sustainable use of natural resources.



