Parbat Sees Yearly Decline in SEE Examinees
In Parbat, the number of students appearing in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in Parbat district has been declining every year.
In recent years, student enrolment in the district’s community schools has decreased, and the number of students taking the SEE has also continued to fall.
SEE Participation Continues to Drop
According to the District Education Development and Coordination Unit Office, Parbat, a total of 1,684 students are preparing to sit for the SEE this year.
This is lower than last year. A total of 1,813 students from the district appeared in the examination last year, while the number of participants in the previous year was 2,050.
Migration, Private School Preference, and Low Birth Rate Cited
According to Matilal Chapain, chief of the Coordination Unit Office, the decline in student numbers has been driven by increasing migration from rural areas, the movement of parents to foreign countries and urban centers for employment, and growing attraction toward private schools.
Stakeholders also believe that declining birth rates have contributed to the drop in the number of students studying in various local levels.
Student numbers have been shrinking in some community schools in Kusma Municipality, Phalewas Municipality, Jaljala Rural Municipality, Mahashila Rural Municipality, Modi Rural Municipality, and Paiyun Rural Municipality.
More Than 32 Community Schools Have No Students
More than 32 community schools in the district currently have zero students, yet the process of school merger has not moved forward effectively.
Chief Chapain said that, considering the declining student population, efforts will be advanced in school adjustment, teacher management, and educational improvement programs.
Deepak Subedi, Education Branch Officer at Kusma Municipality, said that the municipality is planning to promote the concept of residential schools by adjusting community schools in response to the falling number of students.
This trend also reflects broader concerns related to community schools in Nepal and the need for stronger community school management and reform.
Narayan Secondary School Reports Higher Participation
Although the overall number of students across the district is declining, Narayan Secondary School, located in the district headquarters of Kusma, will send more students to the SEE this year than last year.
A total of 125 students from the school are set to appear in the SEE this year.
Quality Improvement Seen as Key
Education stakeholders say that only by improving the quality of community schools will it become easier to retain students in schools.
The issue also connects to wider debates on why Nepal’s school education has not improved despite ongoing reform discussions.
March 13, 2026 (Falgun 29, 2082 BS)
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