‘Rajarshi Janak University should lead education reform in Madhes’

Janakpurdham / Oct. 7: Minister for Education and Sports and Pro-Chancellor Sasmit Pokharel has said that Rajarshi Janak University should play a leading role in improving education in Madhes Province.

Addressing the 11th Senate meeting of Rajarshi Janak University held in Janakpurdham on Wednesday, Minister Pokharel said the university should be developed as a centre of academic development in Madhes.

He stressed that the university should undertake distinctive and exemplary work beyond what schools do.

Minister Pokharel underlined that the university should focus on research to identify the major problems in the education sector in Madhes and find policy solutions to them.

He viewed the university should take the lead in formulating education-related policies and laws based on research.

“There should be a difference between the roles of schools and universities. Universities should rise above and focus on research, knowledge creation and policy reform,” he said.

As the university is linked to Mithila civilisation, Minister Pokharel said it should prioritise the study and research of Mithila art, culture, philosophy and civilisation.

He also suggested that the university should develop its own distinct identity rather than simply following the subjects offered by other universities.

“Rajarshi Janak University should do something new and demonstrate it. It should create an environment capable of attracting students from India and other countries through studies and research focused on Mithila civilisation,” he added.

Minister Pokharel, who is also the university’s Pro-Chancellor, said priority should be given to expanding access to higher education in Madhes as well as to technical, vocational and employment-oriented education.

He pointed that the university should develop curricula and academic programmes based on local needs and potential and focus on producing human resources capable of addressing the province’s requirements.

The Minister said the academic development of the province would be possible only through effective cooperation among universities, local governments and other stakeholders, adding that overall development of the province was not possible without reforming the education sector.

The government was committed to providing necessary support and cooperation for the development of quality education, he added.

Meanwhile, the university’s budget of Rs. 511.702 million for the fiscal year 2026/27 was approved by the Senate.

Of the total allocation, Rs. 210.895 million has been allocated for capital expenditure and Rs. 300.807 million for recurrent expenditure.