Constitutional Reform and its Impact on TVET Governance in Nepal

Following a research visit to Nepal in January of 2017, Dr. Ursula Renold and Dr. Katherine Caves produced a report on how that country can begin to federalize its TVET system in line with Nepal’s new constitution. Drawing on theory, literature, original research, and Dr. Renold’s experience guiding the Swiss VPET system through two constitutional reforms, the report identifies the key principles for Nepal’s ideal TVET system. This is challenging because some principles like quality and permeability are clear, while others like education-employment linkage and good governance rely on normative decisions that can only be made by Nepal’s TVET leaders and stakeholders. Using survey data and the goals identified in the new constitution, the report recommends occupation-oriented education-employment linkage and governance in the coordinated output-oriented model.

The report goes on to show how the functions of such a TVET system would be allocated to federal, provincial, and local governments. These are currently allocated by Nepal’s existing legal framework of acts, policies, and the old constitution’s articles related to TVET. The report compares these to the goals set out in the new constitution and the ideal TVET system, and uses a SWOT analysis to identify the elements that can stay, those that should be expanded, areas of conflict, and points that require clarification. It recommends developing a new TVET Umbrella Act to replace the existing framework and define authority and responsibilities for the sector as a whole. Finally, the report lays out principles for successful implementation of such a long-term project.

Further reading:

Link to the report.