Asta-Ja Education and Training for Ecological and Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Economic Development in Nepal Part I

Through the concerted effort of the royal family and the government of Nepal with international aid agencies, foreign governments, donor organizations, NGOs, and the private sector over the past several decades, Nepal has achieved remarkable success in its educational sector, currently with 17 universities, 5 autonomous institutions, more than 1,400 colleges, and 34,368 schools nationwide. Despite these remarkable developments in the educational sector in the past several decades, Nepal’s education and training are still subpar, uncoordinated, fragmented, largely theoretical, lacking access and inclusion, deficient in physical facilities and trained teachers, and the lack of appropriate curriculum and educational and training frameworks. Many institutions of higher education and schools in the country are experiencing seriously low enrollment and high dropout rates. Over 100,000 students leave the country for higher education abroad annually and about 3,000 youths leave the country daily for foreign employment. Almost a quarter of Nepal’s total population lives below the poverty line, 23% of the total population cannot read and write, and there is a very high unemployment rate. Foreign trade is declining with skyrocketing trade deficits. The trade deficit for 2022/2023 FY was over USD 11 billion. With the US$1,456 PCI GDP, Nepal still belongs to the category of least developed countries. To effectively address these challenges, Nepal’s education and training system needs to be more practical, research-focused, innovative, community-oriented, and directly aligned with sustainable economic development and ecological and environmental sustainability. The Asta-Ja (Asta-Ja meaning eight Ja in Nepali letter, Jal (water), Jamin (land), Jungle (forest), Jadibuti (medicinal and aromatic plants), Janshakti (manpower), Janawar (animal), Jarajuri (crop plants) and Jalabayu (climate)) Framework effectively guides the policymakers, academicians, educationists, developmental organizations, and governmental agencies in developing effective curricula, training teachers, producing skilled manpower, conducting practical training, and aligning teaching and learning for the nation’s natural and cultural resources. It will help transform Nepal’s education and training into a more effective, problem-solving, and innovative system to enhance ecological and environmental sustainability and sustainable economic development.