Dhankuta: A school in Chuwabung of Dhankuta has three teachers and just one student.

Bachhala Devi Primary School in Chuwabung of Dhankuta, established 25 years ago, runs classes up to grade three. There is not even a single student in grade one and grade two this year. They only student attending the school is third-grader Sanchaya Maya Rai. Of the three teachers, two are permanent, whereas one has been managed through local resources.

There are a total of 27 Aathpahiriya families in the Chuwabung area.

Most children of the area go to private schools. According to Bal Bahadur Rai, Chairperson of Bachhala Devi Primary School, the school is now on the verge of closure due to lack of students. “As most parents prefer to send their children to private and boarding schools, ours hardly get students,” he lamented. District Education Office has already been informed about the low number of students at school, but the office directed the head teacher to continue with her job. District Education Officer Pramod Kumar Shah said the school needs to be monitored. “Even teachers who serve in the government schools enroll their children in private schools and put pressure against merger of those schools with less students,” said former headmaster Upendra Pokhrel. Last year, Rastriya Saraswoti Primary School was merged with Gokundeshwor Higher Secondary School as it had only five students and as many teachers.

source:the himalayan times,15 June 2013