Free Education for 1,000 Flood-Affected Students, Education and Sports Ministry Announces Scholarship Scheme
The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced that it will provide free education to around 1,000 students affected by floods. At a program held at the ministry on Monday, Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel unveiled the scholarship scheme in coordination with federal, provincial, and local governments, umbrella organizations of private school operators, and non-governmental organizations.
Scholarships and Facilities
The scholarship program will cover students from early childhood development education through Grade 12. Under the plan, students will receive full, partial, and residential scholarships based on need and justification, along with school fee discounts or waivers, textbooks, uniforms, educational materials, accommodation, meals, and other facilities.
Priority and Student Selection
Priority will be given to children who have been unable to attend school due to the floods, are economically disadvantaged, have lost parents, guardians, or family members or whose family members are out of contact, and those requiring special support.
Affected students will be identified through field surveys and recommendations from schools, ward offices, and local governments.
Private Sector Contribution of Around Rs 1 Billion
Preparations have been made to mobilize the necessary resources for the education of affected children from the private sector. At the program, HISSAN President Yuvraj Sharma said that a scholarship program worth around Rs 1 billion had been proposed for the education of affected children. He said the program would be continued on a long-term basis with support from national and international organizations.
The campaign will be carried out in collaboration with PABSON, N-PABSON, HISSAN, EPAN, Montessori Association Nepal, and other organizations. PABSON President Krishna Prasad Adhikari said the program had been introduced in coordination with the ministry under institutional social responsibility through the collaboration of five umbrella organizations of private school operators.
The program was attended by Ministry of Education Secretary Chudamani Paudel, senior officials, and representatives of the private education sector.
Minister Pokharel said that the education sector had gone beyond its institutional responsibilities to provide support during the disaster, adding that this had given the government additional energy and encouragement.
“Seeing helping hands extended has made us feel that the state is not alone. It has sent the message that in times like these, the state must stand strong,” he said.
Flood Impact and Damage
A severe flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on Bhadra 10 affected 15 local levels across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Tanahun. The government has declared those local levels disaster crisis areas.
According to preliminary details, 19 schools in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading were fully or partially damaged by the floods. The report states that 16 teachers and 217 students remain out of contact, while the learning of 9,742 students has been affected.
