KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has said the government has taken a firm decision to free educational institutions and the civil service from partisan political influence.

He noted that the deeply rooted culture of “party-ization” has weakened the state system for years, and clarified that a merit- and competence-based system will now be implemented.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, Shah remarked that student and employee organizations had turned into “sleeper cells” serving party interests.

He said public trust declined because opportunities were distributed based on connections, patronage, and political affiliation.

“To end this, party flags in educational institutions and political involvement in the bureaucracy have now been banned,” he added.

Rejecting allegations that the move was driven by the inability of the Rastriya Swatantra Party to expand its organizational base, he said the decision was based on the conclusion that more party-based groups do not improve the quality of education.

He added that the government recently introduced an ordinance to eliminate such distortions, claiming it would strengthen professional independence.

According to Shah, students should learn responsible and civil political values from teachers—not from crowds of political leaders.

He also stressed that civil servants must work according to rules and systems, rather than under political influence.

He said the move is not targeted at any single party but is aimed at systemic reform.”From now on, appointments, transfers, and promotions will prioritize ability and competence over political affiliation,” he said.

He also called for cooperation from all sides to make the reform effort successful.