Mr. Kumar Ghimire is an academician and working as Principal at Sangrila Public School, Jorpati. He is also founder director of Jaya Multiple College, Jorpati and founder of Arunjyoti School. He has devoted his whole life in the field of education, particularly in the field of private education. He was born in Sankhuwasabha and got preliminary education there. Then he moved to Jhapa where he completed his school education. After the completion of school education, he moved to Kathmandu for higher education. He involved in education field after earning his highest academic degree.
Mr. Ghimire decided to serve the nation through education. So, he established Arun Jyoti School at Jorpati in 2052 BS. Since 2067 BS, he has been working as Principal at Sangrila Public School. Mr. Ghimire played a significant role in establishing Jorpati Manch, a forum of private schools in Jorpati area. Similarly, he has played an invaluable role in establishing EFS, a common forum of 25 schools of Kathmandu valley founded with the aim of organizing extra-curricular activities and develop healthy competition among them. He has also been involved in the PABSON, an umbrella organization of private and boarding schools. He was elected a member of Kathmandu PABSON executive committee in 2058 BS and till the date he has continuous involvement in the various committees of PABSON. He has been undertaking responsibility as the secretary of PABSON, deputy general secretary and general secretary of the central committee of PABSON.
Mr. Ghimire has shared his view with College Readers as how PABSON has been working during his tenure as General Secretary. Excerpts:
How do you analyze the current status of private and boarding schools of Nepal?
We have to analyze the present situation from various dimensions. The popularity, challenges and prospects are its major dimensions. The popularity of private and boarding schools in Nepal is an astonishing reality. Similarly, its challenges seen in its existence and prospects are other aspects. We have experienced vast differences in the ways of viewing, understanding and expressing about the private schools. Basically, the public have great trust and positive attitude towards the delivery of quality education whereas the political parties and their sister organizations have dual and controversial mindsets. They enroll their children in private schools, but their perspectives of the private schools seem controversial. The so-called intellectuals, particularly of government sectors have been creating mess through their view but their children are studying in private schools. The policy of government is still not clear regarding the existence of private educational institutions in Nepal.
The Constitution of Nepal has ensured free education, but in reality it is not fully possible in the present situation. We are also in the favor of free education and trying to seek a way out for its implementation. The government should find out the best possible ways for providing free education through concrete education policy. Our concentration should be there to ensure security of investment and secure future and the teachers involved there. The discriminatory education policy should be avoided, and equal status and facility should be provided to the students studying in private and government-run schools.
You have been involved in the private education sector and PABSON administration for a long time. How do you assess the role of private schools and their contributions to educational reformations in Nepal?
The role of private schools should be analyzed from various aspects—from the angle of skill development of children, managerial skill development aspects of private schools and cultivating discipline as well as confidence of the students, developing English language skill and individual care of the students. Moreover, private schools have significant contribution to reducing the state expenses of education and creating employment opportunities inside the country. Similarly, private schools have demonstrated the proofs that quality education can be assured through the good management in education institutions.
What are the experiential challenges of PABSON?
The most experiential challenge of PABSON is to ensure the security and promotion of the investment of private school investors due to lack of sustainable and equitable government policy regarding private education. The education policy often changes along with the change of the government guided by the doctrine of specific political parties. Different political parties have different views to look at private schools. So, private school’s investors are compelled to live with dilemma. Another challenge of PABSON is to get the entire school owners to develop their managerial skills to run their schools effectively. Similarly, it is really challenging to make all member schools know about their responsibility towards the umbrella organization, PABSON. Another crucial challenge is to guarantee a secure future of the teachers and employees involved in private schools as well as to strengthen their efficiency in their workplace.
What are the strengths of PABSON?
Due to the effective role of PABSON, the government has accepted PABSON as an inseparable stakeholder and consultant whilst making education policies. PABSON has been fighting for the right, security and dignity of the member schools and the human resources involved there.
As General Secretary of PABSON, to what extent do you think that the commitments proclaimed before the 14th National Convention have been fulfilled till date?
Since PABSON is the umbrella organization of private schools of Nepal, the teamwork spirit is essential for accomplishing various tasks. We have been able to bring about many reforms and improvements in the education sector. Similarly, we have purchased a building for the PABSON’s office and strengthened its members stewardship and formed committees unanimously. We have organized a series of conferences of subordinate units. In addition, we have been successful in amending discriminatory provisions seen in the education policy of the government in many extents. Besides, we introduced the alternative teaching system during the long-hit pandemic and solved the problems seen between the teachers and the schools during the pandemic.
PABSON is alleged to have failed to address the troubles of its member schools during the pandemic. What is your response to this allegation?
In fact, the responsibility of PABSON is to create a roadmap and to create amicable environment for running schools by resolving the issues of discriminatory policy. Similarly, our responsibility is to develop an environment for healthy competition among the member schools. We are able to resolve all kinds of academic issues and ease teaching and learning activities in every member school.
What suggestions would you like to convey to the participants of the 15th National Convention?
PABSON has provided all the information, code of conduct and the requisites of the National Convention. So, I would like to convey best wishes for making 15th National Convention a grand success.
