Kathmandu- Minister for Education and Sports Sasmita Pokharel held a courtesy meeting with Scott Urbom, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States Embassy in Nepal, on Tuesday.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Education and Sports in Singha Durbar, the two sides recalled the long-standing diplomatic relations between Nepal and the United States and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, shared interests and multifaceted cooperation.

They also exchanged views on US support for Nepal’s education sector and explored ways to make future cooperation more effective, particularly in the development of technical and vocational education, the promotion of skills-based education, and potential collaboration in the sports sector.

The United States has been supporting Nepal’s education sector for many years. In particular, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it has supported initiatives such as the Early Grade Reading and Learning Programme, as well as the College of Education.

During the meeting, Minister Pokharel expressed confidence that the historic, friendly and trust-based relationship between Nepal and the United States would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.

Highlighting the government’s ongoing reforms in the education sector, the minister said the National Curriculum Framework for school education is currently being revised, with the aim of making the curriculum more practical rather than purely theoretical. She added that the revised framework would incorporate sports into the school curriculum from the school level onwards.

Minister Pokharel also said the government has begun assessing the physical infrastructure of schools, and future budget allocations will be based on identified needs. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to prioritising investment in school infrastructure, educational facilities and teacher training.

He further noted that Nepal and the United States could expand cooperation in areas including safe school infrastructure, digital and smart learning, teachers’ professional development, and school health and nutrition.

Chargé d’Affaires Urbom said the United States remains positive about providing the necessary support for the development of Nepal’s education and sports sectors through bilateral understanding and cooperation. He noted that the US government is aware of the various reform initiatives undertaken by the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Education and Sports, and is always ready to support and collaborate in those efforts.

He also expressed confidence that the United States would continue supporting the Nepal government’s initiatives to improve public school education.