Kathmandu: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Maeda Toru, has paid a courtesy call on Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Sasmit Pokharel. During the meeting held at the Ministry in Singha Durbar today, they discussed the matters related to further strengthening Nepal-Japan bilateral relations, common interests and multi-dimensional cooperation.
Discussion was also held regarding possible areas of cooperation in the education sector in the coming days. On the occasion, Minister Pokharel expressed the belief that historic, friendly, trust-based relations between Nepal and Japan would further deepen in coming days.
Stating that the government is moving ahead with the commitment to reforming public education, Minister Pokharel, also the Spokesperson of the government, said the Education Ministry is fully committed to reforming public education.
Though it would take time to get the outcome of investment invested in education, activities for the evaluation of physical infrastructure of schools have been forwarded as a process for the reform and change has to be initiated immediately. Education Minister Pokharel underlined that Nepal could collaborate with the Japanese government in the sectors of safe school infrastructure, ‘digital’ and smart learning, professional capacity development of teachers, school health and nutrition.
Programmes fostering culture, values and spirit of cooperation could be run by following Japan’s practice of teaching students about cultural norms and values and discipline from school levels in Nepal, he added. Minister Pokharel opined that Nepal was ready to collaborate with the Japanese government in possible areas, stating that the government has been moving ahead with new thoughts and reforms.
Similarly, Japanese Ambassador Toru expressed the belief that the Japanese government would provide continuous support in the initiatives started by the government of Nepal for public education reforms. Long-term political commitment, capable bureaucracy and trust in the overall system is necessary for the reforms of school education and good governance. He mentioned that Japan would provide necessary support for this initiative.
Saying training to teachers is indispensable for quality school education, the Japanese Ambassador suggested effectively utilizing the programmes for professional development of teachers. He expressed the view that cooperation between the two countries could be further strengthened in digital infrastructure expansion, technical human resources development, innovation and investment promotion sectors, adding there is immense potential in cooperation expansion between Nepal and Japan in the information technology sector.
