Age should not be a barrier for education. It is with this motive and vision that Prerana Mahila Vidhyalaya has been serving the Nepalis society since 1998. Operating under Women Empowerment and Development center (WED), here females above 14 years of age can receive formal education to groom themselves academically, morally, and socially. 

Located at Satdobato, Lalitpur, the school is recognized by the District Education Office. According to Prava Chalise, principal of the school, the academic curricula here is the same as other private and public schools. However, it’s not just any other school. This is where women who have work commitments or could not go to regular school come to get basic education. There are classes from grade one to ten but students can choose their desired class timings.   

“Many women want to study but can’t because they have to work. Here we give then a chance at formal education and they can appear for their Secondary Education Examination,” says Chalise. Women, after the SEE exams, are then either provided skilled-based trainings by WED or they leave to continue their higher education. 

Chalise says that there are currently 470 students at Prerana Mahila Vidhyalaya but to reach out to those students wasn’t easy. “There are many illiterate women in Nepal. Though they understand that going to school can change their lives, they often say no because of lack of family support,” she says adding that however once a woman decides to join their school, they seem to be happy and make it a point not to miss class. 

The fact that the fee structure is cheap is also one of the major reasons why women don’t hesitate much to join Prerana Mahila Vidhyalaya. “It is impossible for us to provide free education because we have to pay our staff. But we charge as little as possible so that money won’t be an issue,” claims Chalise adding that the monthly fee doesn’t exceed Rs 900 and this also includes course books.

Chalise says they understand that literate women are an important aspect of development that is why they are constantly trying to empower underprivileged women by giving them a chance to study. “You can only make informed decisions and stand on your own when you are educated,” says Chalise adding that Prerana Mahila Vidhyalaya strives to get the ball rolling for those who couldn’t get an education the regular way. 

 
• women
 
• prerana mahila vidhyalaya
 
• prava chalise