A total of 30,779 students studying in schools within Kathmandu Metropolitan City received full scholarships in the academic year 2081, according to the Education Department. The Metropolitan City had allocated NPR 3.29 billion for the education sector last year, of which 53.8 percent was spent.
Scholarship Distribution and Coverage
After making the scholarship system more structured and system-based, the Metropolitan City provided scholarships to various target groups. These included 5,895 students under the girls’ scholarship scheme, 1,322 students under Dalit scholarships, and 455 students under disability and residential scholarships.
In institutional schools, 19,306 students from Grades 1 to 10 and 3,801 students from Grades 11 and 12 benefited from scholarship provisions. The Education Department shared this information while presenting its annual progress report.
Key Student Support Programs
During the academic year, 56,301 students from Grades 1 to 12 received free textbooks. Regular mid-day meals were provided to 58,739 students, while 17,689 girl students of menstruation age received free sanitary pads. The department stated that these initiatives contributed to improved student attendance.
Additionally, 39 schools changed their names to reflect Nepali identity and cultural values.
Budget Allocation and Financial Progress
For the education sector, NPR 3.29 billion was allocated for the year. Of this amount, NPR 1.77 billion was spent.
Under internal regular programs, NPR 1.04 billion was allocated, with 30 percent utilization. The “Education for the Poor” Metropolitan Priority Program received NPR 600 million, but only 8.4 percent of the budget was spent. Similarly, 38.8 percent of the NPR 111.4 million allocated for the Golden Plans of the education sector was utilized.
Meanwhile, utilization of federal conditional grants remained high. Of the NPR 1.42 billion received under this heading, 92.9 percent was spent.
Program Implementation and Infrastructure Improvement
Under the Book-Free Friday program, 18,218 students from Grades 4 to 8 participated. A total of 5,011 individuals completed classes under the Skills in Education program.
Early Childhood Development classrooms were upgraded in 77 schools, while grants were provided to 82 schools under the Beautiful School construction initiative. Capacity development programs were also conducted for 1,043 teachers.
The department reported positive outcomes, including increased enrollment in Early Childhood Development centers, improved SEE examination results, enhanced creativity and skills among students, and improved physical and environmental conditions of schools.
Schools, Enrollment, and Human Resources
Kathmandu Metropolitan City currently has 784 educational institutions, including 26 basic schools, 58 secondary schools, 4 special schools, 23 alternative schools, 11 religious schools, 28 community learning centers, and 425 institutional schools.
Enrollment data shows that 5,332 students studied in Early Childhood Development centers. At the basic level, 16,552 students studied in Grades 1 to 5 and 14,213 in Grades 6 to 8. At the secondary level, 12,896 students studied in Grades 9 and 10, while 12,640 students studied in Grades 11 and 12. An additional 455 students studied in resource classes.
Overall, 62,088 students studied in community schools and 221,644 in institutional schools, bringing the total number of students to 283,732.
To support the education system, the Metropolitan City employed 2,303 personnel, including teachers, facilitators, instructors, language assistants, and school support staff.
