ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the gap in higher education choice in Nepal from class, ethnicity, and gender perspectives. It begins by briefly introducing the historical perspective of higher education development in Nepal with a focus on class, ethnicity, and gender, then discusses current challenges hindering Nepalese higher education’s aspirations of females and people from ethnic minority backgrounds and low socioeconomic backgrounds. It also discusses government efforts made to minimize the existing gaps. Discussing the shift of focus from public to private education, the chapter will also show how the shift contributes to social stratification and widens the gender and class gap in higher education.