Nisdi Rural Municipality has announced that students studying up to Class 8 in community schools will not have to pay any fees starting this year. This includes exam and admission fees, which were previously collected.
Free Education for All Children
The decision was made during the 17th Village Assembly held recently. Chairperson Mukta Bahadur Saru shared that removing fees up to Class 8 will cost an estimated Rs. 14 lakh more, but it is being done to ensure quality and accessible education for all children.
The budget clearly states that basic education will be made fully free and compulsory. To support this, the municipality has allocated enough funds and aims to stop students from leaving local schools.
School Support Programs to Continue
Vice-Chairperson Tiran Kumari Shrestha said that the municipality has allocated Rs. 2 crore 70 lakh for education this year. Part of this includes Rs. 36 lakh for improving the mid-day meal program, which now covers students up to Class 8.
According to Education Chief Nar Bahadur Thapa, while the federal government provides lunch support only up to Class 5, Nisdi has extended it up to Class 8 for better nutrition and learning outcomes.
Efforts to Improve School Quality
The municipality will introduce performance contracts for principals, teachers, and staff to raise education standards. English-medium classes and the local curriculum will be improved. The budget also focuses on providing educational materials to students.
Nisdi has 51 schools in total, including 12 secondary, 13 basic, and 26 primary schools. In last year’s SEE exam, only 18.91% passed, but this year the pass rate increased to 52.7%.
Budget of Over Rs. 68 Crore Approved
The Village Assembly approved a total budget of Rs. 68 crore 24 lakh 50 thousand for the fiscal year 2082/83. This includes funds from federal and provincial governments, as well as internal sources.
The budget includes:
- Rs. 27 crore 72 lakh in conditional grants from the federal government
- Rs. 1 crore 6 lakh in federal special grants
- Rs. 1 crore 90 lakh in conditional provincial grants
- Rs. 20 lakh in provincial special grants
- Rs. 3 crore 45 lakh in additional grants
The internal revenue target was Rs. 8 crore 78 lakh, and the actual collection was about Rs. 8 crore 53 lakh. Overall, Rs. 58 crore 21 lakh were received from various sources during the last fiscal year.
Where the Money Is Being Spent
- Rs. 32 crore 11 lakh was allocated for social development, with Rs. 22 crore 91 lakh already spent
- Rs. 15 crore 59 lakh was set for infrastructure, with Rs. 6 crore 31 lakh used so far
- Rs. 1 crore 24 lakh was planned for economic development, and Rs. 1 crore 27 lakh has already been spent
- Rs. 1 crore 22 lakh was set aside for governance, with Rs. 30 lakh used
The Assembly’s first meeting was held on Asar 8 to review last year’s progress and present the new plans. The second meeting discussed the budget in detail.
