Speaking in an interaction organised by Education Journalist Network in the Capital on Tuesday they claimed that providing free and compulsory education is not possible unless at least 20 percent of the total national budget is allocated for the education sector. The Article 17 of the draft constitutions envisions providing free and compulsory education to all up to secondary level. The education budget which reached up to 18 percent of the national budget has decreased to lowest ever 12 percent this year. The Nepal government while adopting School Sector Reform Programme some seven years ago had made a commitment to allocated 20 percent of the national budget or 5 percent of the total GDP in education sector. But the volume of education budget is gradually decreasing since last four years.

"It is not possible to ensure free and compulsory education unless the public schools get adequate resources," said Nepali Congress Lawmaker and member of Education Sub-committee of the parliament.