Newsletter 5:
Monthly progress tracker of the tasks done by Member of Parliament Sumana Shrestha and her secretariat.
Namaskar dear readers,
I am Sumana Shrestha, a member of the House of Representatives in the Federal Parliament of Nepal. Firstly, it has been a long while since we last updated you on what we have been doing at the secretariat. A lot of things have happened and a lot more things will continue to happen! We may tweak our ways of communicating in the coming days, and hopefully more frequent emails in your inbox.
This edition of the newsletter covers Jesth-Mangsir 2080 and hereon, we share a very brief overview of the work we have done. Amidst all the research and advocacy work, we acknowledge the gap in our communications with you via this newsletter.
But with 2024 on the horizon, we know what will also be on our resolution :)
(I) Submitted amendments to 4 bills via Facebook group: Bill Hackathon
Issue: Public participation in submitting amendments to bills tabled in the House of Representatives.Tasks accomplished: Collected amendment proposals from the public on three bills via the Facebook group.
1. Amendments to Some Nepal Acts 2080
Registered a Notice of Opposition to the motion introducing the bill because clause 64 of the bill goes against the Constitution, legal principles, the precedent set by the Supreme Court and against international law, for it interferes with the duties and rights of the court
The notice of opposition failed, following which we submitted 11-point amendments to the bill demanding the removal of clause 64.
2. E-commerce Bill 2080
In collaboration with the Policy Research Institute, a government research body, we organized a policy dialogue with concerned stakeholders on the bill.
Status: The bill is registered in the National Assembly, where it has been approved with amendments as provided in the report published by the Legislative Management Committee.
3. Nepal University Bill 2079
Submitted 10-point amendments to reduce politicization in leadership positions, and encourage research-oriented decision-making and utilization of existing educational resources.
4. School Education Bill 2080
Submitted 132-point amendments on the bill focusing on the need to revamp the entire education system: switch from rot-learning to a critical-thinking-based education model, digital hiring process for teachers and principals, uploading values of federalism, increasing rights of parents, mandating career counselling, mental health counselling and units to look after cases of abuse and harassment in schools.
(II) Small wins
1. Equivalence certificate
TU has eased the process of obtaining degree equivalence certificates in Nepal.
Universities in the top 500 of the Times Higher Education World University Ranking will be considered for equivalence.
2. Language in question papers
TU has agreed to provide question papers in both languages: English and Nepali, but we are still fighting this battle
Previously, courses were taught in Nepali but questions were written in English
3. Position of co-secretary in the Party
And on that note, I have also been appointed as the co-secretary of Rastriya Swatantra Party.
With more responsibilities and more ways of delivering, I’m excited!
4. Publication of report card
We understand that this is not the most comprehensive report of the work we have done at our Secretariat. But hereby we have also attached a one-year review presentation of the work we have done thus far.
As 2023 comes to a close, and we hit a year milestone, we will aim to be more diligent in our communications with you!
Until then, please continue reaching out to your MPs and ask them what work they have been doing, what progress they have made, and what actions they are taking to represent you best. Participatory democracy requires your participation!
As ever, if I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Feel free to schedule a 30-minute call on Fridays or write to me.
Thank you.
With regards,
Sumana Shrestha
Member of Parliament