Protect private schools

The education system in the country has taken an "about turn" since the Maoists launched their People’s War against the democratic establishment some five years ago. This is in no way a good sign for the development of the country. Certainly, it is too extreme a step to be tolerable in any society. What the country needs at this juncture is a better education system to meet the growing demand. The 15-point demand made by the Maoist student wing — All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU-R) — must be taken seriously, if the government intends to provide a technically sound and essentially better education system. ANNFSU-R has already began closing down private schools, besides demanding a reduction of tuition fees at the private schools. As a result, PABSON has submitted its recommendation which consists of a host of suggestions to a high level committee. But such a recommendation immediately raises a few questions. Does ANNFSU-R have the right to regulate private schools, or even to close them down? Do private schools need to submit any recommendation on the reduction of tuition fees? Why does the government issue permission to open private schools? So far has the government taken any action against any group of rowdies who have closed down the private schools? Why is the liberty to run and manage private schools in jeopardy?

PABSON submitted a fifteen page recommendation to the high level committee, a five member committee formed by the government with a view to reforming the education sector. Had ANNFSU-R not undertaken any radical approach to reduce tuition fees, or not closed down private schools in the Maoist-hit districts, perhaps PABSON would neither have felt necessary to prepare a survey report, nor would the government have agreed to reform this sector. PABSON has divided the private schools into three categories - private trust, public trust and service oriented. This survey, as agreed with ANNFSU-R and the government, should have been done within 35 days. Unfortunately, PABSON took longer than the required time to submit its report to the high level committee. Educational experts now claim that the recommendation is not very different from that of the Khania report, a survey conducted three years ago with the aim of reforming private schools.

It is sad but true that the education system in the country has been in a chaotic state. Yet, the Koirala government has done nothing to improve it. Neither has it given any protection to private schools nor been able to take action against Maoist students. As a result, private schools in rural areas are being closed, affecting the education of a large chunk of students. Parents are pleading with the government to provide security. But the Koirala government seems to be too weak not only to implement its education policies but also to protect the private schools. In fairness it should be added that past governments too have been better at political interference in the running of public sector schools and not doing anything about rampant commercialisation in private schools. That is what brought about the crisis in the first place.

Environmental law in Nepal

By Gyanu Mainali

Present world is suffering from different kinds of environmental problems. Basically, climate change, global warming, green house effect, destruction of biodiversity, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and pollution are some of the major environmental problems.

Nepal is one of the few countries in the world, which is rich in natural resources, like water, forest and cultural heritage. Its beauty and richness is adversely affected due to environmental problems. Nepal too suffers from different kinds of environmental problems. On the one hand, Nepal is suffering from global environmental problems, and on the other hand, it is facing different kinds of national environmental problems. Nepal has its obligations to implement the international Environmental Laws. It also has to solve the national environmental problems, the main obstacles in this endeavour is the lack of skilled and motivated manpower, lack of public awareness and proper institutions to deal with environment problems.

In Nepal, generally, environmental problems have increased due to inadequate and inefficient environmental planning and lack of proper implementation. Major environmental problems have emerged from land degradation, depletion of forest resources, unplanned urban development, mismanagement of industrial waste and domestic water.

Efforts have been made at the international as well as at the national level to solve the environmental problems. At the international level efforts have been made by the United Nations Conference. International community has developed many legally binding and non-legally binding convention and principles. In this context, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development - 1992 is a significant one. Nepal, being a responsible member of the United Nations has also played an important role in the development of International Environment Law and its implementation in Nepal. Nepal is a signatory to at least 10 international conventions relating to environment.

Nepal has also formulated the National Environment Policy and passed environment legislation. Ninth Convention Strategy, 1998; National Environmental Policy and Action Plan, 1993, are some of the steps towards environment protection.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 is the first constitution incorporating the provision on environmental protection and improvement. Likewise, the Muluki Ain contains provision of animal in chapter 6, land in chapter 8, 9 and 10, some of the provision such as utilization of "Kulo Pani" and protection of recreation places have been made in chapter 8, namely "Jagga Abad Garneko." Besides, provision for protecting public land, trust (Guthi) etc have also been covered in the Act.

In order to give life to constitutional mandates, Nepal has enacted the Environment Protection Act 1997 which came into force on June 24, 1997. Under this Act, the Environment Protection Rules 1997 have been formulated and came into force on June 26, 1997. The same Rules have been amended in 1998, which have also come into force from the date of amendment.

Other important provisions have been embodied in Article 26 (4), which is as follows: "The state shall give priority to the protection of the environment and also to the prevention of its further damage due to physical development activities by increasing the awareness of the general public about environmental cleanliness and the State shall also make arrangement for the special protection of the rare wildlife, the forests and the vegetation."

Nepal has also formulated national Environment Policy aiming to have positive results for a better environment.

In ancient period, environment was socially, culturally and religiously protected. The tradition and practices as well as their values and beliefs paid a great deal of attention to environment. Further, the ethical or moral values were deeply rooted in human practices, which guided them to keep the environment clean. At that time, human attitude towards nature was positive and the religions were playing vital role in influencing human attitude towards protecting environment. It was the duty of each individual to protect the environment and live in harmony with the Nature.

In medieval period of Nepal, environmental laws were not given much attention as compared to that of the ancient period.

Coming to the present context, Nepal is among the few countries now to have a specific provision for environmental protection in the Constitution itself. Recently, Environmental Protection Act 1996 and EP Rules 1997 have been brought into existence and along with this Act and Rules, different policies, guidelines and sectoral Acts are also being introduced and implemented in tune with international commitment and national needs. The process of reform and effective importance of protection and improvement of environment. Much has to be done if we really and effectively want to improve and protect the environment. As regards to Nepalese policies, the existing strategy, various guidelines and policies should be reviewed and reformulated in conformity with the constitutional mandate and the Environmental protection Act 1996 in order to bind them legally.

At the same time, the Environmental Protection Act should also be amended to include new provisions if we are not going to have other specific Act in this regard and to amend the existing provisions in order to introduce competent and independent authority. As far as sectoral Acts are concerned, the existing overlappings and contradictions should also be removed particularly when it comes to authority and punishment. The most important need is to implement the existing laws properly.

Concept of 80/20

By C B Dahal 

About two decades ago, I read an article published in the monthly Readers’ Digest about the Principle of 80/20. An Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto had forwarded the concept in 1897. The Principle of 80/20 is a study of distribution of wealth and the unbalanced patterns of wealth and income. Pareto found the pattern prevalent in the 19th-century England and further studies revealed the same for every country and time period he studied. Over the years, this observation has known as the Pareto’s Principle of 80/20. The Principle shows how you can achieve much more with much less effort, time, and resources, simply by concentrating on the all-important 20 percent.

The two most difficult things to get people to do are to think and to do things in order of importance. So, how do you get to focus on this? Everywhere, employees are fired but the job continues to remain and those employed learn to focus on it trying to achieve their best. This is deemed as the 80 percent solution, which basically says 20% of priorities will give 80% of production. If you spend your time, energy, money and personnel on the top 20% of your priorities, then result is four-fold return in productivity.

This seems little confusing. Right? Here are some examples: The concept simply tries to convey that, 20% of our time produces 80% of the results. 20% of the products bring in 80% of the profit. 20% of a book contains 80% of the content. 20% of our work gives us 80% of our satisfaction. 20% of an article gives 80% of the impact. 20% of the people give 80% of the money. 20% of the people will eat 80% of the food! Similarly, 20 percent of customers account for 80 percent of revenues. What do you say?

But, it also means that 20% of your life is spent on trying to manage 80% of it. And, 80% of your energy is spent on achieving 20% outcome - be it love or any other pursuits.

It is just that the concept is - it’s not how hard you work, it’s how smart you work. And it’s your choice: either organise or agonise! Choose or lose. Evaluate or stalemate. And, even here the Principle of 80/20 is at work.

In 1998, another economist Richard Koch took a fresh look at the Principle of 80/20 and found that the basic imbalance observed 100 years ago by Pareto can be found in almost every aspect even today. Whether you’re investing your money, analysing sales, or trying to figure out the speed and performance of a Web site, you still find it’s usually 20 percent that produces 80 percent of the total result. This means, 80 percent of what you do may not count for much. The theory helps to identify that 20 percent and shows how one can get more out of business, and life, for less.

This predictable imbalance between inputs and outputs (80/20 vice versa) are inherently right wing, and the socialist may find it hard to accept. The Principle—that 80 percent of results flow from just 20 percent of our efforts—is one of the greatest secrets of highly effective people and organisations. It is an idea most original, provocative, and powerful.

So by concentrating 20%, we can transform our effectiveness in our jobs, our careers, our businesses, and our lives and achieve 80% success. If all were to learn to tap the hidden potential of the 80/20 principle in life, to unlock the enormous potential of the magic 20 percent, the 80/20 Principle will revolutionise our life.

Is press freedon under attack ?

The Kathmandu Post and the Mercantile Communications conducted a survey on the topic: "In light of the arrests of Kantipur editor and management, do you think press freedom in Nepal is under attack?" The survey was done on the Net last week. Of the total 2647 respondents, 67.4 percent (1785) said "Yes", 30.8 percent (814) said "No" and 1.8 percent (48) said "Don’t Know".

We regret the inconvenience, if any, due to original names being kept back by some respondents.

Of course, the article was published in accordance with the constitutional provisions. In arresting the editor and managing director and director, the freedom of press attributed by the constitution has been violated. This malpractice can be seen as an attempt to severe press freedom in Nepal.

- Sushil Karki

It is quite funny to know that the government has arrested the journalists who published the article, but: What has the government done against the author of the article?

- Shambhu Raj Khatiwada

By publishing an article penned by a Maoist leader, the Kantipur daily has only attempted to make people aware of other possible theories attached with the Royal shootings. But this attempt cannot be taken as a treason or sedition. In fact it is an assault on freedom of expression. What this daily has done thus far is commendable. The government must not be too thick skinned when it comes to accepting criticism.

- Govinda Dhakal

The Nepali Congress is trying to consolidate its authoritarian power by arresting the editor and managers of Kantipur daily. Instead of defusing a national crisis, the Koirala government is only adding fuel to fire. If it cannot function well, then it should have knack for accepting criticism gracefully.

- Rewanta Pradhan

I think the arrest of kantipur editor and managers is the worst job done by the Koirala government. This is not the type of democracy we fought for. The Koirala government is not allowing us to exercise our constitutional rights. How long the Koirala can shut the mouth of freedom fighters and media persons ?

- Himalaya Thapa

How can an independent paper publish articles and commentaries that are only pro-monarchy and pro-government? A professional newspaper includes views and opinions of individuals from different walks of life. As the article printed in Kantipur daily reflects just one person’s analysis, it hardly makes any difference to national sovereignty or integrity. There is no need to be make such fuss.

- Eklabya

No. How can a lame government led by a lame Prime Minister attack a powerful organ like press? This has to be taken as a serious incident which has to be vehemently countered by an effective teamwork of the press people. The inefficient government cannot take action against some unprofessional journalists of Zee TV and Star News, who have been disseminating malicious propaganda against Nepal and the monarchy in the aftermath of royal tragedy. And it is funny that, while the author of that article is constantly persuaded by this lame government for talks, the publishers are penalized. As long as Girajacracy is prevalent in Nepal, we are bound to bear the brunt of its absurdity and incompetence.

- Bichar Nepali

Frankly speaking, the Maoist views regarding the massacre at the Royal Palace should be out in public. Moreover, why the Koirala government has to arrest the editor and managers for Dr Bhattarai’s personal views. Moreover, there are so many other newspapers publishing the views of Maoist leaders. Strangely though, of all the newspapers, why should all the Kantipur daily should be the victim of Koirala who is on a mission to curtail press freedom? I think the government is taking revenge against the Kantipur Publications, for reasons unknown, at least to the general public.

- Ganga Pandey

I strongly protest the arrest. But I also want to request the Kantipur daily not to publish articles that pose a grave threat to national sovereignty and that instigates violence and anarchy. Only those articles that are in the best interest of Nepal and Nepalis must be published.

- Hari

Press freedom does not mean that media has the rights to publish and broadcast everything it gets or feels like. Democracy provides certain rights, but it does not mean that people have no responsibilities and duties. Writing anything against anybody, regardless of nation’s situation and democratic
norm, means violating democratic laws. By arresting the editor and management of Kantipur daily, the government is trying to teach lessons on rights and duties of press freedom. But whether Koirala was right or wrong is yet to ascertain.

 - Anonymous

The freedom of speech should be respected and Kantipur was the only Nepali daily to shed light on the royal shootings constantly, settling the prevalent confusion and bringing out facts to the masses. Now by arresting the editor and others, the discerning people are smelling something fishy. This has served to further damage the Koirala government’s reputation.

- Gyan Bahadur Rai