Narayani Primary School, which is situated at Rupal VDC of Dadeldhura, only has 31 students on its rolls. To make matters worse, students above grade one do not attend schools regularly. On the other hand, teachers go to schools only to return home after signing in. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Over a dozen of primary schools based in Asigram, Rupal, Bagarkot, Belapur, Bhageshwor, Jogbudha, Alital, Dewaldibyapur and Manilek villages have very low enrollment.
According to Assistant District Education Officer of Dadeldhura Laxman Giri, most primary schools have similar stories to tell as the villages are sparsely populated. And, students need to walk long distances to go to schools, due to which they prefer to skip classes.
“Usually, there must be no more than 40 students in each class,” Giri says. “A primary school, however, hardly gets 20 to 30 students here altogether.” He stresses on the need to merge some primary schools with low number of students to ensure better education.
According to Giri, schools of four VDCs -- Belapur, Mastamandau, Bagarkot and Aletal -- have been merged this year after consulting local parents. “This is the only way to prevent schools from shutting down,” Giri added.
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