Sarita, 10 year old, loves going to school. She attends grade 3 at Pancha Kanya Primary, a small government-funded community school located in a remote region of the Kavre district, Nepal.
Two years ago, Sarita’s dream of getting an education was nearly shattered before it even began. Due to a lack of resources and teachers, as well as bad infrastructure, her local school was on the verge of closing down.
To reverse this situation, Karuna-Shechen offered financial support to hire two additional teachers and provide textbooks, stationery and uniforms for the children. To keep the children safe, we also financed the installation of a fence around the school building, which opened onto a busy road, and we leased land next to the school to create a playground.
As a direct result of our intervention, the school stayed open, enrolment figures went up and the drop-out rate decreased.
Thanks to Karuna-Shechen, Sarita and her friends at Pancha Kanya Primary now have access to quality education and to a brighter future.
Unfortunately many Nepali children do not have this opportunity. Like Pancha Kanya Primary, many government-funded community schools are under-resourced. Some of them lack even the most basic facilities such as proper classrooms and toilets. Small rural schools struggle to get and retain teachers. As a result, it is estimated that about 85% of children who enroll in grade one drop out of the school system before they graduate from secondary school. Today, 58% of adults in Nepal are illiterate.
Giving Nepali children access to quality education is one of Karuna-Shechen’s priorities. Children are the future. Educating children is the key to creating responsible adults who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Karuna-Shechen currently offers financial support to seven small under-funded primary and lower-secondary schools located in under-served remote areas of the Mid-Hills and Terai regions. We also support seven small primary schools and one secondary boarding school in Upper-Humla.
Learn more: Education in Nepal
June 5 2020
During the unique period of lockdown, environmental experts have noted a sharp pollution decrease, a return of the animals to their natural habitat and a more luxuriant nature. These images have had a...
May 28 2020
On this International Menstrual Hygiene Day, Karuna-Shechen reaffirms its commitment empowering women in India and Nepal so that they have access to a better life. The menstrual cycle - a natural but...
May 22 2020
PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY MEANS PRIORITIZING ALTRUISM OVER SELFISHNESS The diversity of living species on Earth is fascinating. We appreciate its beauty and, since the beginnings of science, have so...
May 12 2020
[Our experts have the floor] Interview with Shalav Rana, Karuna Shechen’s country director in Nepal. Shalav Rana is the country director of Karuna-Shechen in Nepal. He hasover 15 years of experi...
April 29 2020
20 years of rural exodus: between opportunity and illusion Over the past two decades, India has witnessed a massive exodus from rural areas. The last census in 2011 showed that the population was s...
