Religious Schools in Nepal

In Nepal, religious schools play a significant role in preserving cultural and spiritual traditions while also contributing to formal education. The Government of Nepal officially registers Buddhist, Islamic, and Hindu religious schools as religious educational institutions through local District Education Offices under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. These institutions are eligible for government funding, provided they disclose their courses and funding sources, aligning them with nonreligious public or community schools in terms of support and registration procedures.

Certain institutions such as Madarasas (Islamic), Gumbas/Vihars (Buddhist), and Ashrams/Gurukuls (Hindu) operate as religious schools. They receive government support on the condition that they are integrated into the formal education system by registering with the District Education Office and adhering to existing education laws and regulations. Among the different types of religious schools, Madarasas are the most numerous, primarily located in the densely populated Terai region. Gumbas and Vihars are mostly found in the Hill and Mountain regions, while Ashrams and Gurukuls are situated in both the Hill and Terai areas.