British Council Nepal holds 7th Education Symposium

KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27: British Council Nepal organised the 7th Education Symposium with the theme of ‘Educational excellence through the professional development of teachers and teacher educators’, today in the capital.

“Throughout the years, our annual symposiums have provided important platforms for discussions on critical issues affecting Nepal’s education landscape. From inclusive education to the integration of technology in teaching practices to assessment to creative education through arts. These dialogues have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the education sector in Nepal,” claims a press communique issued by the British Council Nepal.

This year, the focus is on Continuing Professional Development for teachers and teacher educators – a theme closely aligned with Nepal’s School Education Sector Plan (SESP).

The symposium explores the direction of the teacher support mechanism in Nepal, alongside the sharing of policies, practices and successful models from the UK and around the world. The research publications ‘The practices, perspectives and professional needs of in-service teacher educators in Nepal’ and the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Teacher Training Curriculum, developed in partnership with Centre for Education and Human Resource Development (CEHRD), were also launched at the symposium.

“The UK government has been providing support to Nepal to achieve its human development indicators, including through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The British Embassy Kathmandu and the British Council are committed to supporting the implementation of Nepal’s School Education Sector Plan, working and collaborating with all three tiers of governments,” Rob Fenn, British Ambassador to Nepal, was quoted by the communique as stating while speaking at the symposium.

Similarly, on the occassion, Suresh Adhikari, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology reportedly remarked, ‘British Council has emerged as a pivotal ally in advancing systematic reforms within our education sector. Over time, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has collaborated closely with British Council, leveraging their expertise in educational reform and capacity building.

Also, Shahida MacDougall, Country Director British Council Nepal, is reported to have said,‘As Nepal aims to graduate to a middle-income status by 2030, the importance of education reforms cannot be overstated. A robust education system not only equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for personal success but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth and social development.’