The government is all set to introduce Free and Compulsory education programme in 13 districts from the new academic session.

The Department of Education is going to introduce this programme with an aim to provide education free of cost for Grade I to Grade VIII students in the first phase. As per the School Sector Reform Program, Grade I-VIII are considered as Basic Level and Grade IX-XII Secondary Level.

According to DoE, the programme will be implemented in Dhankuta, Saptari, Bhaktapur, Parsa, Kaski, Rupandehi, Surkhet, Bardiya, Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, Manang, Mustang and Dolpa district from the next academic session.

Under this programme, the students will be receiving free textbooks, day meal, other educational and reference materials. Likewise, children belonging to economically and socially backward communities would receive special support and subsidies in these districts. The schools are not allowed to conduct any kind of entrance exam to select students. Any kind of discrimination against students during their admission will not be tolerated, the DoE said.

The DoE is going to send a circular to these districts very soon to draw their attention to free education. Tek Narayan Panday, Director, DoE said, “These districts were selected on the basis of students’ enrollment.” Earlier, the government had announced to release budget to provide free and compulsory education in 10 districts.

source: the himalayan times,24 Oct 2013