Kathmandu, Bhadra 25 - In an effort to ensure uninterrupted education for the children who were orphaned, affected by the recent Bhotekoshi floods or displaced, the Government of Nepal has announced its plans to set up a central “Scholarship Bank”. The Education Ministry has announced a Secured Future Scholarship Scheme to help affected children to study free of cost till Grade 12. The campaign targets in particular children who have lost their parents or guardians in the floods.
The Scholarship Bank will draw on funds raised from government, private schools, charities, non-profit organisations and individuals to provide a central education fund. Participating organisations and donors will make their contributions to the fund, which will then distribute support according to the individual needs of flood-affected children in Nepal. The Education Ministry is still working on the detailed regulations regarding eligibility, selection and the running of the scholarship program.
Support provided under the scholarship scheme will not just be restricted to fees. The assistance that may be provided ranges from full or partial scholarships, to education materials and placing a child in a children's home. Priority will be given to children who have lost both parents or other guardians and government officials will determine the educational and living support needs of children. According to the government, the goal is to keep children learning as far as Grade 12, even though they have lost their home, parent, or damaged school.
Institutions providing private education have already committed themselves to giving substantial support on the Nepal flood relief education program. Five organizations from private-school and educational institutions have agreed to set up a Rs 1 billion scholarship fund to support 1,000 students impacted by the floods, which will be merged with the government's Scholarship Bank. Children whose parents have died in the disaster will also be accommodated and educated free of charge in Bagmati Province till Grade 12.
There is significant disruption to learning. The Education Ministry has identified 9,400 children affected by the disaster in 32 schools of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, with 3,928 directly affected children and 1,373 children being displaced who are staying in the temporary holding centres. It was determined that 488 students were unaccounted for and five were dead in an initial investigation. 32 schools were assessed, all of which were damaged, with 268 of 527 classrooms destroyed, and six schools damaged to their land and premises. The ministry is evaluating the need for provision of temporary school buildings, reconstruction, relocation and other education assistance.
The government intends the Scholarship Bank to become a long-term education support mechanism, rather than a temporary response to the Bhotekoshi floods. The Education Ministry says that the program has potential to help children impacted by future natural disasters such as floods and landslides, in addition to helping children who lose parents in accidents and in cases where parents are working abroad. The initiative strives to integrate services from the government, the private sector and charities into one system to prevent children from being denied access to education due to the loss of their home, school or guardian.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
