Formal music education in Nepal: A SWOT analysis of Tribhuvan University.

Abstract

Education is of the utmost importance to human beings. Music education has been continuous from ancient days till today. There are three types of the music education system, namely, informal, non-formal, and formal programs. The practice of formal music education university programs in Nepal has approximately 60 years of history. During that period, only a few universities, colleges, and schools have been academically providing music education. The present article focuses on the developing trends in formal music education in Nepal with special reference to Tribhuvan University. Analysis of strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of music education in Tribhuvan University is made in this study. After the analysis of the subject matter, it is concluded that, although there are many strengths and opportunities, the Nepalese formal music education system and institutes have not been able to cope with and minimize the existing weaknesses and threats. The researcher has gathered the necessary data and information through the opinions expressed by the students, teachers, staff, administrators and other stakeholders, in an informal way. Several library visits and many literature reviews were also made to point out the internal and external factors affecting music education in Nepal. As a clear result of this study, it has been seen that political interference and other unwanted issues has been creating an unseen but big gap between planning and implementation of formal music education in Nepal.