Nepal Education System Adjusted After Saturday-Sunday Weekend Decision: CDC Issues New Guidelines
Kathmandu: Following the Government of Nepal’s decision to implement a two-day weekly holiday on Saturdays and Sundays, the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) has introduced new arrangements for managing school teaching schedules and annual instructional hours.
The decision, made by the Council of Ministers, aims to improve fuel management and standardize weekly holidays across government offices and educational institutions. However, it has created challenges in maintaining required teaching days and academic workload balance.
Adjustment in Academic Calendar
According to the new arrangement, schools must reorganize their academic calendar to ensure completion of required curriculum hours despite reduced working days.
The CDC has worked based on recommendations from the National Curriculum Development and Evaluation Council, chaired by Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel, to ensure that teaching hours are not compromised.
Teaching Day Requirements
As per the Education Regulations 2059, schools must operate for at least 220 teaching days per academic year. However, with multiple public holidays and the new weekend system, maintaining this requirement has become challenging.
The National Curriculum Framework 2076 specifies the following annual instructional hours:
- Grades 1–3: 832 hours
- Grades 4–7: 1,024 hours
- Grades 9–12: 1,184 to 1,344 hours
New Implementation Strategy
The CDC has directed schools to include project-based learning, practical work, and interdisciplinary activities as part of instructional hours to compensate for time shortages.
Officials stated that a structured approach will ensure learning outcomes remain unaffected even under the revised schedule.
Stakeholder Views
Teachers’ organizations have expressed support for the two-day weekend but emphasized the need for proper consultation regarding implementation.
PABSON representatives stated that private schools will comply with the Sunday holiday and adjust schedules using alternative academic days when necessary.
Conclusion
The revised system aims to balance academic requirements with the government’s energy-saving and administrative policy while ensuring that students’ learning outcomes remain stable.
Rewritten and adapted for Beldangi Online Khabar