Compulsory and Free Education Implemented in Sindhuli and Kavrepalanchok Districts

Overview of the Program

Compulsory and free education has been successfully implemented in two of the nine local levels in Sindhuli district. Minister of Social Development, Kumari Moktan, announced that Kamalamai Municipality now offers compulsory and free education. Previously, on May 30, Marin Rural Municipality also declared the same program.

Key Details

• Program Initiation: The program was launched with the enrollment of 281 children, including 26 children with special needs, in Kamalamai Municipality. These children, aged four to 13 years, were previously out of school.
• Implementation Responsibility: Minister Moktan emphasized that it is the responsibility of the state, local government, political parties, and civil society to ensure all children have access to basic education.

Local Government Initiatives

• Kamalamai Municipality: Head of Kamalamai Municipality, Upendra Kumar Pokhrel, confirmed that no children aged four to 13 years are currently out of school in the municipality. The program is a result of an agreement between the Provincial Directorate of Education and Kamalamai Municipality.
• Provincial Education Directorate: Deshnarayan Chaudhary, Director of the Provincial Education Directorate, stated that 18 municipalities have submitted proposals for compulsory and free education. Announcements will be made in 11 municipalities by Ashad 8th and in the remaining seven by Ashad 20th.

Community Involvement

• Survey Results: A survey of 16,074 households in Kamalamai Municipality identified 281 out-of-school children, who have since been enrolled in appropriate schools.
• Ward-Level Announcements: The program was initially announced at the ward level from May 24th to 27th and subsequently at the municipal level.

Educational Infrastructure

• Schools in Kamalamai Municipality: There are 72 community schools and 25 institutional schools, educating over 21,900 students.

Rossi Rural Municipality Initiative

• Announcement: Rossi Rural Municipality in Kavrepalanchok also implemented compulsory and free education at the local level, becoming the second rural municipality in the district to do so after Bethanchok Rural Municipality.
• Survey Data: The survey in Rossi Rural Municipality found 6,752 households and 5,704 children aged four to 13 years.
• Budget Allocation: A budget of NPR 40 million 50 thousand has been allocated for the implementation of compulsory and free education in Rossi Rural Municipality.

Impact and Future Plans

• Eradicating Child Labor and Marriage: Dipendra Subedi, Director of the Education Development Directorate in Hetauda, highlighted that the program aims to ensure the constitutional right to education, and it will aid in reducing child labor and child marriage at the local level.

Conclusion

The implementation of compulsory and free education in Sindhuli and Kavrepalanchok districts marks a significant step towards achieving universal education in Nepal. This initiative ensures that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to basic education, thereby promoting equality and social development.