KATHMANDU: The new academic session has officially begun today. As per the government decision, the school-level academic session now starts annually from the Nepali month of Baisakh 15 (April 28).
Previously, the academic session began on Baisakh 2 (April 15). However, the date was revised to Baisakh 15 to discourage private schools from conducting admissions before the completion of annual examinations and to address logistical challenges, including fuel supply disruptions. Despite this, some local governments facilitated student admissions even before Baisakh 15.
The government had earlier issued a directive instructing private (institutional) schools to refund admission and other fees collected unlawfully.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology had also requested all concerned local governments to initiate legal action to ensure the refund of admission fees charged against regulations, as well as other fees not prescribed under the Institutional School Fee Determination Criteria Directive, 2072.
In a related development, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing schools not to publish admission notices before the completion of annual examinations, publication of results, and issuance of necessary academic certificates, including mark sheets, as required under Rule 78 (1)(c) of the Education Regulations, 2056 BS.
A single bench of Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal ordered that student admissions should be conducted only after the official commencement of the academic session, in line with the Education Regulations, 2056 BS.
The order emphasized the need for coordination among examination results, the academic calendar, and the issuance of academic certificates. The court also directed the concerned authorities to act in accordance with existing laws and ordered the respondents to submit a written response within 15 days.
