Improving TVET Program in Nepal: A Need for Restructuring Diploma and Pre-Diploma Curricula
Lekha Nath Poudel 1 * , Durga Prasad Baral 1 More Detail
1 Visiting Faculty, Kathmandu University School of Education, Lalitpur, Nepal* Corresponding Author
Journal of Transformative Praxis, Volume 6, Issue 1, June 2025, 107-123, https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16645
Publication date: Jun 28, 2025
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This article analyzes the diploma and pre-diploma curricula developed and implemented by the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training in Nepal and identifies the need for restructuring these curricula to better align with the objectives of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and industry requirements. Adopting an interpretivist approach, the study is based on qualitative data collected through document analysis, focus group discussions, and interviews with various stakeholders. The analysis reveals that the current curricula place excessive emphasis on general subjects without adequate integration of technical skills. Limited stakeholder participation in the curriculum design process, an overemphasis on summative student assessments, and the curricula’s inadequacy in preparing students for employment raise concerns about their relevance. The study highlights the need to restructure diploma and pre-diploma curricula by reducing the content of general subjects, enhancing the integration of soft skills, and incorporating workplace-based learning. To improve TVET programs, Nepal should develop a national curriculum framework, reform the student assessment system, increase stakeholder involvement, and design competency-based curricula.
While working as the task team member formed by the CTEVT Council to review CTEVT’s curriculum, we gathered some of the data for this article. We thank the CTEVT Council for providing us with the opportunity to work with the task team. Special thanks go to Mr. Binod Badal, Dr. Bhim Kumar Dahal, and Dr. Prakash Kumar Paudel for their suggestions and constructive feedback during the drafting of this article. We appreciate the reviewers' insightful comments and helpful recommendations. We would like to express our appreciation to the Journal of Transformative Praxis editorial team for recognizing our work.