Kathmandu: Chandan Kumar Mahato came to Kathmandu to pursue higher studies after completing SLC from a school in Hariwan, Sarlahi.

He has enrolled at a newly established private college to study science. However, getting a grip on his studies is not the only challenge he has to overcome.

Chandan, the son of a farmer, has been sharing a rented room at Shantinagar with a friend. The two pay Rs 3,000 per month rent.

“We did not find a vacant room easily. House owners charge exorbitant rents for small rooms,” says Mahato. “But the owners do not care to provide basic facilities such as drinking water and sanitation,” he remarks.

Mahato is one of the thousands of students, who has come to the Capital in search of better education after completing school. The colleges here welcome them whole-heartedly with big promises .

Higher Secondary School Association Nepal General Yubaraj Sharma, says although the inflow of students who come to the Valley to enroll in plus two colleges has not registered a significant rise compared to the past, “around 50,000 students come to the city either to take bridge courses or enroll in a college.”

But only a few colleges have offered hostel facilities, and they too are not well equipped. “Had certificate level in TU campuses still been there, I would have saved my father’s three lakh rupees,” Mahato lamented.

The cost of living in Kathmandu is increasing by the day and house owners are always on the lookout for an opportune moment to hike the rent, another student said.

My parents’ dream of educating their son has proven expensive, he says. “My parents will have to pay Rs 90,000 to see their son become a plus two graduate,” Mahato says, disappointment clearly showing on his face.

source: The Himalayan Times(2011),"+2 students chase expensive dream", The Himalayan Times,18 July 2011