Chitwan — Rapti Municipality in Chitwan has made all school-level education free. The municipality said student enrolment in community schools has increased after the free-education program was introduced.
Mayor Shamsher Lama said that before free education was implemented, around 9,000 students were studying across the municipality. He said the figure has now increased to 14,000.
Enrolment increase after free education
The municipality said it began implementing free education two years ago.
Under the program, students studying in schools do not have to pay any fees.
Budget disbursement stalled amid disputes
The municipality said that while student interest increased after the program began, budget disbursement has not been possible at present due to political disputes.
Mayor Lama said the municipality included the free-education program in its annual plan and implemented it. He said budget disbursement happened in the initial years and the work moved forward.
He added that there are now difficulties even in disbursing some remaining funds from the previous fiscal year. He said the municipality has not been able to disburse the expenses to be provided to students for the current fiscal year.
Free education across 49 schools, up to Grade 12
The municipality said it has arranged free teaching and learning for 14,000 students studying in 49 schools.
It said it has provided free education, at its own expense, even for students studying up to Grade 12.
Mayor Lama said, “According to the authority granted by the Constitution, all students studying in government schools up to the secondary level do not have to pay fees.”
He said the municipality’s plan was in the full implementation phase, but problems began after various political issues were raised, including locking the municipal office and escalating protests. He said even the municipality’s chief executive officer has not been able to remain in the post.
Grade 11–12 classes and subjects in four schools
The municipality has four secondary schools where Grades 11 and 12 are being taught.
It said the following subjects are being taught at different schools:
-
Buddha Shanti Secondary School, Rapti-2: Agriculture technical subject
-
Bhandara Secondary School, Rapti-6: Science
-
Birendra Residential Secondary School, Rapti-7: Science
-
Thakaltar Secondary School, Rapti-1: Education
The municipality said free education has been implemented across all schools, including these.
It said Thakaltar is a remote hilly area of the municipality, and Grades 11 and 12 began there after Lama became mayor.
Student communities and coffee initiative
The municipality said most students there are from the Chepang, Gurung, and Tamang communities.
Mayor Lama said the municipality studied and researched coffee cultivation to develop income-generation opportunities for the Chepang community and distributed seedlings free of cost.
He said the municipality arranged distribution of seedlings with technical support and also made provisions to purchase the production.
He said coffee has now started producing in Ward Nos. 11, 12, and 13.
School principal cites funding bottlenecks
Kumar Singh Lama, Principal of Bhandara Secondary School in Rapti-6, said the municipality’s free-education program is very good.
He said it has been even more effective for those studying science than for general education.
He said it was easier in the early years when budget disbursement took place. He said some funds from last year are still outstanding, and work has become difficult because, apart from salaries, other funds for the current fiscal year have not been disbursed.
He said the municipality has not been able to operate openly. He added that he believes budget disbursement will happen if employees are able to work.
Annual cost and enrolment figures
Mayor Lama said the municipality spends Rs 6 crore annually on free education.
He reiterated that community-school enrolment increased after free education was arranged, rising from 9,000 students to 14,000 across the municipality.
Disputes affecting municipal operations and budgets
Mayor Lama won the 2079 local-level election as a candidate from the then CPN (Unified Socialist). The report states that disputes began after he assumed the role.
It says the municipality has not been able to pass its annual budget on time.
It states that the budget for Fiscal Year 2081/2082 was brought at the end of Bhadau 2081. It says that, under the Constitution, the budget must be brought by Asar 10, but it could not be brought due to disputes.
It also says the budget for the current Fiscal Year 2082/2083 was brought at the end of Asar.
The report states that ward chairpersons and the deputy mayor have been accusing the mayor of not holding sufficient discussions on municipal programs and plans, and of acting unilaterally.
Ward No. 4 Chairperson Kedar Prasad Acharya said problems arose because work was done without coordination. He said the public opposed the mayor’s working style and carried out actions such as locking the office.
The report states that in this area, only the mayor was elected from the Socialist party. It says the remaining ward chairpersons were elected from CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.
It adds that one person who was elected independently later joined the Socialist party, and that he is now in the CPN party.
It says the lock placed at the municipality office was opened after Falgun 21 was announced as the election date and elections were to be held.
It adds that although the municipality is working now, Chief Administrative Officer Surendra Pradhan has been on leave since the lock was opened.
Chitwan School News Education News