The government has allocated Rs 6.54 billion (Rs 654 crore) this fiscal year to upgrade 109 large community schools, Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel said, according to reports on 14 October. Each school has more than 2,000 students.
Of that total, Rs 5.34 billion has already been released for 89 schools in a first phase, according to the minister’s secretariat. The released money is meant for new three-storey buildings with 12 rooms each.
What the government plans to build
The first phase covers a standard three-storey building with 12 rooms at each selected school, according to the ministry. Each building is estimated to cost about Rs 60 million, or Rs 6 crore. It will include classrooms, laboratories and a library.
What the minister said
Pokharel described the programme as a historic step in transforming the education sector. He said the government had started with large schools to address the gap between schools with growing enrolment and those short of students. He welcomed the high enrolment at some community schools but said the government was equally aware that others struggle to attract students.
He said the new buildings would make the learning environment safer, more organised and more effective. He also asked teachers, parents and students to work together to improve quality and build infrastructure in community schools.
Background
Nepal’s fiscal year starts in mid-July, so the allocation covers the year that began this July. Nepal has two main types of school. Community schools are public and receive government grants. Institutional schools are private, self-funded, non-profit trusts or companies.
