Kavre's schools deserted

BANEPA, Dec 3: Schools in rural Kavre have worn a deserted look due to lack of students as a majority of people here have shifted base to the capital in search of job opportunities.



The parents take their children along with them to the capital to work in brick factories. [break]



“More than half of the villagers have taken away their kids,” said Principal of Bal Kalyan Primary School in Panauti-4, Chankharka Megh Raj Sapkota.



“I have been transferred here for 17 years and the number of students has been going down every year,” Sapkota added.



Over a dozen schools, including Janajagriti Primary School, Chamunda Devi Primary School, Khulachour Primary School, Himjyoti Primary School, Mahakali Primary School, Mangal Janavijay Higher Secondary School and Devishwori Primary School, among others have seen a massive decrease in the number of students.



Educated locals and school teachers have tried to persuade parents to not discontinue their children´s studies but to no avail. “They ask us to either provide job in the village or look after their children,” Rajan Tamang, a teacher, said.



The brick factories in the valley have become an attractive job destination for the impoverished villagers of Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts.



“There is no work in the village. We have no choice as we cannot earn livelihood here,” Santa Bahadur Tamang of Chamkharka, a local, complained.

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