Residential Schools for Chepang Children
Rapti Municipality has inaugurated three residential schools with the aim of assisting underprivileged Chepang children who live in remote areas. This initiative has proven beneficial for children in rural settings. According to Shamsher Lama, the head of Rapti Municipality, residential management has been initiated in two schools during the ongoing academic session.
In one school, the municipality had previously conducted a residential class. Lama stated that the municipality has implemented residential classes in Kandeshwari Basic School, located in Kanda, a remote village in Rapti, starting from this academic session. Previously, Miteri Foundation and Lakshmi Pratishthan operated residential schools, and in the year 2080, the municipality commenced supporting them. Currently, 150 Chepang children are enrolled in these schools, and the physical infrastructure was already established by the foundations.
The three organizations are overseeing the expenses for two teachers and staff at the schools, while the municipality is providing assistance in other aspects. These schools are situated in Rapti Municipality-13, known as one of the most challenging areas in the district. Residential classes are being conducted at Ganesh Secondary School in Rapti Municipality-12 Aurali Tar, accommodating 104 children.
While there is a small number of Tamang children, the majority are Chepang. Similarly, a residential class is being held in a school located in the same Municipality-1, Mahadesh Tar, where children from the Chepang and Tamang communities in the upper part of Parewakot are receiving education.
The residential program in this school commenced in the current academic session, with 38 children currently enrolled. Children whose homes are far from the school are receiving education in the residential setup. Mayor Lama shared that this program is specifically aimed at extremely impoverished families facing challenges in sending their children to school due to financial constraints.
Wards 10, 11, 12, and 13 are situated in hilly areas, and in Ward No. 1, Mahadevatar, children from the hills are brought and educated in a residential manner. Lama believes that with the initiation of this program, the dropout rate will decrease. The majority of the Chepang community resides in mountainous terrain, and their educational situation is dire due to financial constraints leading to premature discontinuation of their studies.
