Border villages in Ilam grapple with closure of public schools, students forced to seek education in India

ILLAM: The closure of public schools in the border villages of Ilam has left families grappling with the dilemma of providing education for their children, with many now resorting to sending them across the border to India for elementary education.

Nim Lamu, 68, a resident of Sandakpur Rural Municipality-5, Kalpokhari, is among those facing this predicament. He expressed his concern over the lack of educational opportunities for his granddaughter and revealed plans to relocate to Manebhanjyang, India, to ensure her access to schooling.

The closure of public schools in areas like Jaubari, Meghma, Kalpokhari, and others along the Indian border has compelled families to seek education for their children in neighboring Indian schools. Sonam Sherpa, a resident of Jaubari, highlighted the challenges faced by parents in ensuring their children's education, citing the closure of schools due to low student enrollment.

One such example is the National Primary School in Jaubari, which has remained closed for over eight years due to insufficient student numbers. Pasang Tshiring Sherpa, former principal of Rastriya Primary School, Jaubari, lamented the lack of initiatives to reopen these vital educational institutions.

Currently, approximately 15 children from the area are enrolled at Ribs School in Manebhanjyang, India, reflecting the extent to which families are willing to go to secure education for their children. However, this comes at a significant financial cost, as parents like Doma Sherpa incur expenses of 15,000 to 18,000 Indian Currency per month.

The closure of schools not only deprives children of educational opportunities but also undermines their awareness of Nepali nationality and self-respect, as noted by Pasang Tshiring Sherpa. Moreover, the neglected school buildings have deteriorated over time, with some even repurposed by the Armed Police Force (APF).

Despite these challenges, there has been a lack of concerted efforts from relevant authorities to address the education crisis in these border areas, leaving families with no choice but to seek alternatives across the border in India.