Millennium Development Goals, School Sector Reform Plan: Who knows, who cares?

Compare the following statements:

1. "A key indicator and goal is to reduce class sizes from 41 to 34 (School Sector Reform Plan)"

2. "We have achieved 93.7% enrolment in primary schools (United Nations Development Report, Nepal 2010)"

3. "Nepal is on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (Goal 2 Universal Primary Education, World Bank/IMF statement 2011)"

...... with these statements from Binod Ghimire writing in ekantipur today:

1. "A majority of the 642 public schools in the Valley have fewer students than the standard of 45 students per teachers set by the Ministry of Education"

2. "“Student enrollment in primary schools has decreased remarkably in the last five years and if the trend continues, many schools will have to be closed in the next five years”

3. "37 schools have closed in the Valley in the past two years due to poor enrolment"

They don't stack up do they? And suddenly we get quotes "explaining" the latter with statements such as:

"Education experts blame over-politicisation and “irresponsible teachers” for the deterioration of the quality of education in public schools"

“The situation is never going to improve unless teachers perform their duties responsibly,” (Mana Prasad Wagle, Educationist)

Well there's a surprise! But what would be an even bigger surprise would be some clarifying statements from ADB and DFID as major funders of education reform, together with some decisive action from the Nepalese government and INGO's such as ActionAid Nepal as major implementers!

Don't hold your breath.