Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) experts, education officials, municipal leaders and TVET teachers for technical schools and institutions in Hetauda say that TVET in Nepal need to be made more job-oriented so as to ensure employment to the workforce they produce.

The feedback came as part of a consultative meeting with altogether 35 participants, organized by a high-level taskforce of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST)—and facilitated by UNDP Nepal's Support to Knowledge and Lifelong Learning Skills (SKILLS) Programme—in the capital of Province 3 to solicit suggestions on structuring and designing a new TVET policy for the country. While participants expressed satisfaction at the growing demand for quality and inclusive TV programmes highlighted at the session were problems facing those students who take up short- or long-term education and trainings, including lack of an updated curriculum, minimal scholarships, stipends and salaries for trainees and the dwindling quality of the actual trainings provided to them.

Discussions also touched upon the inability of responsible government agencies to properly monitor and evaluate TVET programmes conducted in Hetauda in the past. Arjun Prasad Chaulagain, ward chairman of Hetauda Municipality, opined that the local government should conduct all TVET trainings while the provincial and federal government should regulate them and take responsibility for certification.

Similarly, Bhuwaneshwor Ranjitkar, Chief of Nepal Bharat Multi-Technical Institution, stressed on the need for providing TVET in Nepal that is of international standard. He also added that skilled workforce that is needed by the market must be produced in consultation with the job providers and industries.

Education experts at the program additionally expressed disappointment at the fact that the technical stream for Grades 9-12 standard was started without proper homework and forethought, stating that the future of thousands of students enrolled in that stream could be at risk.