Ramechhap, February 28:

Only three persons have passed the SLC examination from the entire Majhi community living in Ward No 9, Gaikhura, of Ramechhap district’s Chisapani VDC.

The VDC is adjoined with the district headquarters Manthali. The community, already plagued by poverty, was left penniless after fire engulfed the houses of the entire community in 1992. Since then, the children in the community give priority to work over study.

The community with 33 households has one school — Narmadeshor Primary School. Soon after completing study till Grade V, kids leave for Kathmandu to work at brick factories, locals said.

School headmaster Devilal Puri said the school was opened for Majhi children and it has not been able to offer classes beyond Grade V due to the community’s indifference. Dev Kumari Majhi (45), a local, said abject poverty and illiteracy hindered them from sending their kids for further study.