Namkha Rural Municipality (File Photo)
SIMKOT: Arniko Primary School in Yari in Namkha Rural Municipality-5 in northern Humla has three teachers but two students.
According to Hari Narayan Chaudhary, the principal, the primary-level school only has two students in early childhood development. Three teachers, including himself, are engaged in teaching these two students. Out of the three teachers, two are appointed for the primary level, while one is the early childhood development facilitator. Chaudhary said even though the school runs classes up to grade five, not students have enrolled for grades 1 to 5.
“Parents tend to send their children elsewhere after they complete early childhood education,” he said, explaining the lack of students in higher grades.
Last year, seven students studied in the school.
Since the early childhood students are also irregular in the school, teachers take turns attending the school.
Manraj Budha, chief of the Education Section at Namkha Rural Municipality, acknowledged that the problem of students dropping out at a young age is prevalent across the municipality. He also said the school cannot be merged immediately due to the current situation.
Budha cited parents’ preference for sending children to monasteries over schools as a reason behind this issue. Last year, a two-room building was constructed for the school under the President’s Education Reform Program, and the condition of its three existing buildings was also upgraded.
Other schools in Namkha Rural Municipality have also been forced to shut down due to a lack of students. Earlier, two schools in Limi had to be closed.
