Gorkha Municipalities Defy Federal Directive, Set Early School Reopening Date

Pokhara. Despite the federal government's directive to begin school enrollment only from Baisakh 15, municipalities in Gorkha have decided to open schools starting from Baisakh 7.

All 11 local levels have unanimously decided to open schools and commence teaching activities from Baisakh 7.

A meeting of the heads and chairpersons of all 11 municipalities, led by the District Coordination Committee Gorkha on Friday, decided to proceed according to their pre-determined academic calendar, citing that the federal government's circular has created confusion regarding the academic session. According to Section 84 of the Education Regulations 2059, the academic session is required to run from Baisakh 1 to the end of Chaitra.

Schools are required to provide at least 220 days of instruction per year. Furthermore, the National Curriculum Framework 2076 stipulates 832 working hours for grades 1-3 and 1,024 working hours for grades 4-12. 'Although the federal government has stated that enrollment should only begin from the 15th, it appears that the required working hours and days will not be met,' the meeting decision stated. 'Considering the demands of parents and the academic calendar, it has been decided to proceed with student enrollment and teaching from Baisakh 7.'

Additionally, the municipal heads have expressed serious concern over the federal government's freezing of budgets allocated for various development projects in Gorkha.

DCC Chief Mohan Bahadur Thapa stated that the meeting demanded the immediate release of the budget and the creation of an environment for implementation, noting that development work has been obstructed due to the freezing of the budget allocated for the fiscal year 2082/083. Gorkha consists of 9 rural municipalities and 2 municipalities.