Kathmandu, May 29 -- Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has allocated Rs218.30 billion to the education sector in the budget for fiscal year 2026-27, with a focus on innovation, skills development and expanding access to higher education.

Presenting the budget at a joint session of Parliament on Friday, Wagle said the government would make education from school to university level more innovation-oriented and skill-based.

The government also announced that Nepalis working abroad would be provided opportunities to pursue studies through the Open University system.

The budget further said internationally reputed foreign universities would be encouraged to establish campuses in Nepal.

Wagle also announced a nationwide clean toilet campaign a...