MP
Melish Prasai
Apr 12, 2026 • 5 min read
On March 27, 2026, the new government of Nepal was officially sworn in. Prime Minister Balen Shah and his cabinet, structured across 15 ministries, are set to serve a five-year term. Within its first week, the government introduced a 100-point plan for political reform. Among these, six major decisions stood out:
1) The End of Post-SEE Coaching Culture (Bridge Courses): Are High School Entrance Exams Becoming Fairer?
The traditional practice of spending three months after Grade 10 examinations attending bridge courses for high school entrance preparation has officially come to an end. These courses were widely used to secure seats in competitive high schools while building foundational knowledge in streams such as Science, Commerce, and Arts.
The Ministry of Education, led by Sasmit Pokharel, enforced this decision to reduce inequality between students who could afford expensive coaching and those who had to prepare independently. Additionally, the government plans to shorten the three-month waiting period to one month through faster paper checking and efficient result publication.
What is the benefit?
Students who previously relied on self-preparation due to financial constraints can now compete on a more level playing field.
Who has been affected?
Coaching centers and bridge course institutions that depended on this post-SEE period for revenue are now facing financial losses.
2) From Leading the Nation to Police Custody: Former PM KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak Arrested
The newly appointed Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, held an immediate meeting with police officials, leading to the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
On March 28, 2026, both were taken into custody under a five-day judicial remand for further investigation. This action followed findings from the Karki Commission report regarding the September 8–9 Gen-Z protests.
Who has been affected?
- The CPN-UML has announced nationwide protests, particularly targeting district administration offices and Singha Durbar, claiming the arrests are politically motivated.
- Victims and families affected by the Gen-Z protests have welcomed the move, viewing it as long-awaited justice and accountability.
3) Your Inactive Bank Accounts May Soon Fund the Government: Here’s Why
On March 28, 2026, the Ministry of Finance, led by Dr. Swarnim Wagle, announced a review of decade-long inactive (dormant) bank accounts to collect unclaimed funds into the state treasury.
According to New Business Age, around 4.5 million dormant accounts exist, holding idle funds due to migration or neglect. The government aims to channel this money into infrastructure, social programs, and administrative reforms.
Why is this a good move?
If implemented effectively, these funds could boost economic activity by increasing government liquidity beyond tax revenues. It may also improve financial transparency and tracking within the banking system.
What are the concerns?
The primary issue is ownership rights. Even inactive funds belong to individuals. Poor implementation could damage public trust in the banking system. Careful verification, legal clarity, and transparent processes are essential to avoid disputes and errors.
4) Government to Launch Free “Blue Bus” Service for Women
The government has announced the rollout of at least 25 “Blue Buses” across all provinces within 100 days to improve safety and accessibility for women.
Issues such as overcrowding, harassment, and unreliable public transport have long made daily travel difficult for women. This initiative introduces dedicated, safer travel options.
Why is this a good initiative?
Working women, students, and those restricted by safety concerns can travel more freely, especially during early mornings and late evenings. This enhances access to education, employment, and opportunities.
Who has been affected?
Private transport operators may lose a segment of women passengers, potentially reducing their income while operating on the same routes.
5) A New Era for Campus Representation: From Party Politics to Student Councils
The government has imposed a strict ban on all party-affiliated student organizations in schools and universities within 60 days. It emphasizes that education institutions should remain free from political interference, with independent student councils representing student voices.
Why does it matter?
Students may benefit from a more stable academic environment, free from political alignment pressures. This could reduce nepotism and favoritism in campus roles and resource allocation, shifting focus toward academic and welfare concerns.
What are the consequences?
Universities traditionally serve as spaces for debate and political engagement. This ban may limit students’ exposure to political discourse, networks, and leadership opportunities beyond academics.
6) Exam-Free Childhoods: Bold Reform or Risk of Unpreparedness?
Internal evaluation exams for students up to Grade 5 will be eliminated starting from the upcoming academic session. In their place, holistic assessment methods will be introduced to reduce mental stress and psychological pressure.
What is the ultimate goal?
The reform aims to create a stress-free learning environment, shifting from exam-centered education to understanding-based, creative, and experience-driven learning. This could help build curiosity and stronger conceptual foundations.
What are the concerns?
Early exposure to exams helps develop essential skills such as time management, structured writing, and revision techniques. Removing exams may make future adaptation to formal assessments more challenging. Teachers will also face increased workload in designing new evaluation systems, while parents may find it harder to track their child’s academic progress.
Conclusion
The six decisions taken within the first week reflect a government attempting to address structural challenges across multiple sectors. These reforms aim to improve financial accessibility, enhance public service efficiency, and reshape the education system.
However, Nepal has seen ambitious promises before. The real question is whether these early decisions will translate into sustained impact through effective implementation, institutional accountability, and public trust.
What has begun now must be consistent, scalable, and grounded in execution to truly transform into meaningful public service.
