With the steady improvement in the quality of higher secondary education across Koshi Province, cities such as Biratnagar, Itahari, Dharan, and Birtamode are rapidly developing as emerging educational hubs. These cities are becoming increasingly attractive for students aspiring to pursue Grades 11 and 12 following their SEE results.
In the SEE 2081, a total of 75,466 students from Koshi Province participated. According to the National Examination Board, 47,835 students passed, among whom approximately 6,258 secured a GPA between 3.6 and 4.0. This reflects a growing interest among students to pursue quality education locally within the province.
Shifting Trends in Higher Education Choices
In the past, students often moved to Kathmandu or abroad for higher education. However, in recent years, local institutions in Koshi Province have begun offering improved infrastructure, better teaching standards, innovative methodologies, and notable academic outcomes. This shift is encouraging students to pursue their higher studies within the province.
Educational Landscape of Biratnagar
Biratnagar Metropolitan City alone hosts 176 schools, with more than 47 operating at the Grade 11 and 12 levels. According to official statistics, 29 of these schools are institutional, while others are privately run. Notable colleges like Arniko, Pokharia, Maryland, Birat Academy, Sagarmatha, Shikshadeep, and Himalayan enroll thousands of students each year, with some having over 500 students solely in the Plus Two level.
Facilities and Teaching Approaches
These educational institutions are equipped with smart boards, computer labs, science laboratories, libraries, and transportation services. Some institutions have adopted international-standard curricula. Their teaching approaches include technology-integrated instruction, practice-based classrooms, interactive sessions between teachers and students, and leadership-oriented learning methods.
Educational Growth in Itahari
According to educational advocate Prajwal Parajuli, Itahari has firmly established itself as an educational destination. Both private and community institutions have made significant improvements in infrastructure and teaching quality. He states that the growing number of students and institutions in Itahari is minimizing the need for students to seek education in the capital or abroad.
Academic Excellence in Arniko College
Arniko College in Biratnagar has earned a strong reputation in the science stream. Principal Rajesh Karki mentioned that the school even produced the board topper last year, reinforcing its status. He added that not only Biratnagar but various institutions across Koshi Province—both community and institutional—are evolving as academic hubs.
Technical Education and Employability
Karki further noted that technical education, even in community schools, is helping students become more entrepreneurial and employment-ready. “We have already produced students who meet international standards,” he added.
Contribution of Other Institutions
Educational institutions like Shikshadeep, Maryland, Pokharia, Orchid, Kowas, Kantipur, Greenland, and BKVVM are also delivering excellent results, contributing to the region’s academic prominence. Shyam Babu Kafle, Principal of Sajilal Secondary School in Morang, mentioned that practical education linked to livelihoods, alongside physical infrastructure, has uplifted the overall quality.
Educational Progress in Jhapa
In Jhapa, schools such as Damak Bahumukhi, Himalayan Secondary, Devi Secondary, Manakamana, Quet, Gamendra, Dhulabari, and Kakarbhitta are also contributing to making the district a recognized educational hub. According to journalist Ambika Bhandari, these schools offer quality opportunities to students from rural areas through scholarships, transportation, and other facilities.
Strengthening Education in Sunsari
In Sunsari, schools in Itahari, such as Bishwo Adarsha, Koshi, Kasturi, Namuna, Janata, Rastriya Secondary, Skill, Sushma Godawari, and Edutech, along with Adarsha Public High and Himalayan in Dharan, and Jadej in Barahkshetra, have enhanced the region's educational activities. Since Sunsari lies at the heart of Koshi Province, experts report that all community and institutional schools in the district are experiencing increasing enrollment.
Availability of Diverse Programs
According to Pramod Bhattarai, President of the Nepal Student Union in Sunsari, despite challenges in the southern belt of the district, most educational needs are being met at the local level. He emphasized the presence of adequate structures for subjects ranging from Sanskrit to Information Technology and Agriculture.
Educational Progress in Hilly Districts
Educational transformation is visible even in the hilly districts of Koshi Province. Dozens of institutions in Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Solu, and Khotang are achieving excellent results at the local level. According to Ram Bahadur Raut, Principal of Chisapani Model Secondary School, even with transportation and technological limitations, these hilly schools are capable of delivering quality education.
Enrollment Growth Across Institutions
According to Krishna Prasad Pokhrel, Director of the Education Development Directorate in Dhankuta, most schools and colleges in Koshi Province are experiencing a rise in enrollment. “Even students from Madhesh are increasingly joining community schools in Biratnagar,” Pokhrel stated.
Provincial Programs Supporting Education
Pokhrel added that the provincial government is running the “Earning While Learning” program to connect education with employment while maintaining quality standards. “This program is expected to reduce the rate of students going abroad,” he noted.
Through improved infrastructure, enhanced academic outcomes, technology-integrated teaching, public-private collaboration, and strong educational leadership, cities such as Biratnagar, Dharan, Itahari, and Birtamode in Koshi Province are steadily advancing as Nepal’s major centers for higher secondary education.
Koshi Pradesh