The School Sector Reform Plan (SSRP) devised by the Ministry of Education provides policy directions for both general and vocational components of secondary education in order to expand the opportunities for skills development across the country.

Under the SSRP framework, school curricula will offer soft skills and preparatory courses in some key technical/vocational areas, providing choices to cater for individual students’ aptitudes and opening up opportunities to develop their career paths.

Vertical and horizontal links among technical and vocational channels will be established within the general education system, providing mobility from non-formal/technical to formal modes of learning and vice versa.

Under the government-approved Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) policy framework, The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) will continue to plan, implement and coordinate TEVT activities in consultation with the relevant authorities and institutions.

The Education Policy Committee (EPC), headed by the Minister for Education, will provide policy direction for education including the TEVT sub-sector, and the Education Review Office (ERO) will play an important part in the overall review of the TEVT component.

Integration in school curricula

Vocational and technical education concepts such as crafts and basic skills will be integrated into the later stages of basic education curricula, starting from grade six.

Piloting / testing in schools

Along with continuing the current provision of vocational components in secondary schools, additional subjects/trades will be identified for piloting/testing. Within the National Curriculum Framework.

The following options will be piloted/tested in selected schools:

			Non-formal apprenticeships in grades 9 and 10, using private sector training opportunities.
			Three learning tracks (science/technology, business/commerce and liberal arts) in grades 11 and 12.

Ongoing TEVT programmes through CTEVT

Ongoing programmes will include:

			Annexes in public schools
			Trade schools in selected districts with specialised trades /skills
			Skills development and training and certification programmes
			The Skills for Employment programme.

New VET policy

A new TVET policy was approved by the cabinet in September 2007.

The five key focus areas of the new policy are:

			Massive expansion of training opportunities
			Inclusion and access for all citizens who need training
			Firm integration of various training modes and pathways
			Enhanced relevance of courses and competences
			Sustained funding sources and mechanisms.

In essence, the policy aims to develop a strong market for TEVT and skills development in Nepal.

The policy contains the following key messages

Message to citizens

According to the new policy, every Nepalese shall be entitled to at least three months of training for employment free of charge. Beyond that, an increasing array of lifelong learning opportunities will be available on a fee-paying basis.

Message to training providers

All businesses and institutions, small or large, private or public, commercial or charitable, will be encouraged and supported to offer skills development for school leavers and the national workforce.

Message to the business community

The new policy aims to increase the supply of workers who are competent and confident in their occupations, thereby enhancing national productivity.