A Landmark Moment for Education Reform - May 2025
In a historic move, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) has approved the country’s first Competency Framework for In-Service Teacher Educators. Developed by the Centre for Education and Human Resource Development (CEHRD) with support from the British Council, the framework aims to professionalise teacher educators and improve classroom teaching nationwide.
Until now, educators have often been selected based on their teaching experience, academic qualifications, and basic Training of Trainers (ToT) certificates, without a consistent system for development or quality assurance. This led to uneven training standards nationwide. The new framework provides a structured, nationwide approach to raise the bar in teacher education.
The Turning Point: From Research to Reform
The journey began in 2023 when CEHRD and the British Council conducted national research to identify gaps in Nepal’s in-service teacher education system. The results showed a clear need for a structured, competency-based framework to support professional development and improve training standards.
In response, a dedicated team was formed, including senior CEHRD officials, national and international consultants, and British Council education experts. From the start, the team worked closely to ensure the framework reflected both local needs and global standards.
From day one, this team worked closely together to ensure the framework reflected both local needs and global best practices.
Designing for Impact: What the Framework Delivers
The newly approved Competency Framework outlines the knowledge, skills, and attributes required for effective in-service teacher educators. It establishes: Clear professional standards, Structured development pathways, guidelines for performance evaluation and self-assessment and a consistent foundation for nationwide training programmes.
More than a policy tool, the framework is a blueprint for transformation. It ensures that teacher educators are no longer selected solely based on academic qualifications, but also for their capacity to inspire, mentor, and deliver impactful training.
Nationwide Implementation: Scaling Through Partnership
The rollout will be led by Nepal’s Provincial Education Training Centres (PETCs) regional hubs that are now being equipped to deliver professional development aligned with the new standards. The British Council supports this by developing training resources, building PETC capacity, and providing mentoring and monitoring.
Impact
The Competency Framework establishes a standardised criterion for all teacher educators in Nepal, ensuring consistent quality in training delivery. This unified approach enhances the effectiveness of teacher development programs, resulting in the improved implementation of teaching practices in classrooms nationwide.
A Model of Mutual Trust and Collaboration
At the heart of this success story is a genuine partnership built on mutual trust, shared vision, and a commitment to systemic change. CEHRD and the British Council co-designed every step, ensuring that the framework is both locally owned and internationally informed. This collaboration model sets an inspiring model for how national and international organisations can work together to drive lasting educational reform.
Conclusion
This is more than a framework. It’s a promise to every teacher educator, every teacher, and every learner in Nepal that quality education is a right, not a privilege.