Rastriya Swatantra Paaila’s Lawmaker Dhital Opposes 80% Attendance Rule

Rastriya Swatantra Paaila (Raswapa) lawmaker Krantishikha Dhital has advised the government to prioritize quality education, skills, creativity, and genuine learning. She emphasized that regulations aiming to empower students must be established, but these rules should not be enforced merely to suppress them. Dhital expressed concern that the 80% mandatory physical attendance rule implemented through Tribhuvan University cannot effectively measure knowledge, stating that thinking must be more modern. 4 Jestha, Kathmandu.

During Monday’s House of Representatives session, Dhital stated, “It is necessary to formulate rules that empower students, but these regulations should not merely suppress them or be applied restrictively. Rules should serve to strengthen students, not to oppress them.” She further added, “Tribhuvan University has mandated an 80% physical attendance rule each semester, which might have good intentions, but is knowledge assessed solely based on attendance?” she questioned.

Dhital explained, “The 80% physical attendance rule at Tribhuvan University was intended to ensure regularity and quality education. However, can knowledge truly be gauged only through physical presence?” She highlighted concerns over the mindset focused solely on physical attendance in an era where the world has entered an age of open knowledge.

She continued, “If learning is not taking place despite students being physically present in the classroom, then a 100% attendance rate is pointless.” Citing international practices as examples, she urged attention to access to alternatives and technology. “There are options and technology available. Education does not become modern by copying rules; we must modernize our thinking,” she stressed. Addressing the government, she further urged, “I call on the government and university administration to have the courage to prioritize quality education, skills, creativity, and genuine learning above strict attendance accounting.”