Paradoxes in higher education

Three constraints are particularly evident in reforming Nepal's higher education system.

A recent statistic reveals that during the first three months of this year, about 40,000 students obtained no objection certificates from the Ministry of Education for university studies abroad. Students need the certificate to get foreign exchange to pay their tuition, travel and accommodation costs. Even if only accounted for in official figures, about $300 million flew away with them at a time when Nepal reels under the duress of rapidly dwindling foreign currency reserves . At this rate, the number of students flying out of the country are likely to cross 100,000 this year alone.