Schools in Nepal have to run classes for a mini­mum of 220 days in a year, according to official rules. But most community schools in Mugum Karmarong rural municipality of Mugu district open for only 80 days. In winters, schools remain closed for around three months due to extreme cold. Teachers return to the schools in May after the win­ter break. In June and July, students and teachers are busy collecting Yarsagumba, a treasured Himalayan herb. Then, there is hardly 1.5 months left for studies, after which Dashain festivities start. Students complain that schools remain closed most of the time, and even on the days they are open, all classes do not run. Many teachers do not teach properly and ask the students to read the book themselves while they sit out­side in the sun.

Monitoring reports show that among the 16 schools in the area, only one has satisfactory educational status

Monitoring reports show that among the 16 schools in the area, only one has satis­factory educational status. Chief District Officer Uma Kanta Adhikari, who also coordinates the monitoring committee, says that most stu­dents in the rural municipality cannot even read properly. He adds that there is reason to question the very existence of the schools.

“Community school teachers also take up other jobs, run NGOs and get involved in political activ­ities, thus hampering the smooth operation of schools,” says Adhikari.

The absence of teachers has even led to the closure of some schools in the rural municipality. Chief of Educa­tion Development and Coor­dination Unit Surya Bahadur Khatri says action will be taken against such schools.

“We have leaders in authoritative positions who complain about teachers getting more involved in personal and political work than in schools. Elected repre­sentatives now need to bring about change here,” says Sonam Karmarong, a local who is also involved in the monitoring process.

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‘How do we go to school with charred books?’

BISHNA NEUPANE | Kalikot  

 Children of Khad­agaun of Kalikot’s Palanta rural municipality have been unable to attend school after a fire on the night of Dec 23 wreaked havoc on their commu­nity. Children’s books, bags and uniforms were some of the stuff destroyed by the fire that engulfed 87 houses. Locals have demanded the supply of essential educational items so that students can go to school again.

Bhagwati Neupane, a Grade VIII student of Ganesh Adharbhut School, lost her home in the fire along with her notebooks, clothes and other valu­ables. Now, she is unable to attend school. As many as 130 children of the area have been unable to go to school since the fire broke out. “All my clothes and books were destroyed by fire. How do I go to school now?” Bhagwati asks.

Dana Devi Neupane, deputy mayor of Palanta rural municipality, claims that the situation has now returned to normal. She says that after the distribu­tion of some relief materials in the first phase, arrange­ments were made for fire victims to stay at other houses or schools in the village that were unaffected by the fire.