By Bishal Karki
Kathmandu: In one of the most decisive reforms targeting Nepal’s education system, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has ordered the complete removal of party-affiliated student and professional unions from campuses across the country. The directive, issued during a high-level meeting at Singha Durbar on April 20, is part of the government’s 100-point good governance agenda. Universities and colleges have been given 60 days to dismantle existing political structures and 90 days to establish non-partisan student councils.
Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel has already instructed vice-chancellors to remove union offices, banners, flags and wall markings. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with providing security support if resistance emerges during implementation. Prime Minister Shah made the government’s position unambiguous: educational institutions are meant for learning, not political mobilisation. He told university heads that those interested in politics must pursue it outside academic spaces. The move comes in the backdrop of the Gen Z protests and recent political churn, which significantly weakened traditional student wings but left residual influence on campuses.
The decision has triggered a sharp divide. Student organisations linked to major political parties have termed the directive “undemocratic” and warned of protests. However, a growing section of academics and professionals has welcomed the reform, arguing that it addresses a long-standing structural problem. Among the strongest voices backing the move is Dr Sandesh Lamsal, who described the decision as “long overdue” and grounded in lived realities of campus disruption.
In a detailed public note, Dr Lamsal argued that party-affiliated unions have repeatedly disrupted academic functioning — shutting down classes, damaging property and creating an environment of intimidation. He pointed to cases where teachers faced threats and extortion, turning institutions into battlegrounds rather than centres of learning. He further noted that excessive politicisation has delayed academic calendars, distorted merit-based systems and prioritised party loyalty over academic excellence. Frequent exam cancellations and institutional closures, he said, have cost students valuable time and opportunities.
Importantly, Dr Lamsal clarified that the reform does not eliminate student representation but replaces partisan control with non-political student councils — preserving democratic participation while removing party interference. The government’s reform draws from Point 86 of its governance agenda, which mandates strict adherence to academic schedules and timely declaration of results. Vice-chancellors have been assured full administrative backing and have been asked to report any obstruction directly to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Critics argue that the move restricts freedom of association. Supporters counter that the Constitution’s guarantee of the right to education — and quality learning — cannot be subordinated to political interests operating within campuses. Officials say implementation has already begun in institutions where political activity had weakened. The coming weeks will test whether the reform can be executed without major confrontation. If carried through, this directive could mark a structural shift in Nepal’s higher education landscape — restoring academic autonomy and redefining student representation beyond party lines.
