Kathmandu, February 10:

Martyrs’ Academy, which was established this year to support conflict-hit children, is all set to establish residential schools in all five development regions of the country.

Talking to this daily today, Dr Lekhnath Poudel, deputy spokesperson for Policy Evaluation and Programme Section of the Ministry of Education, said the National Planning Commission had already approved the programme and had release Rs 50 million for it.

“The children affected by the decade-long conflict, including children of martyrs, disappeared and others would be enrolled in the residential schools,” Dr Poudel said, adding, “They will be provided education in both formal and informal ways.”

Lekhnath Pokharel, accountant at Martyrs’ Academy, said the school buildings would be constructed in Doti in the far-western region, Dang in the mid-western region, Kaski in the western region, Dolakha in the central region and either Udaypur or Sunsari in the eastern region.

“We are in the process of registering schools at different places. After getting budget for the purpose, we will visit all five regions and acquire land for the construction of schools,” he said. Pokharel also said each school would have the capacity of accommodating 150 students.

Though yet to be registered, Jana Shikshyalayas (people’s schools), opened by the Maoists during the insurgency, are still running in Kaski, Dang, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Rukum, Salyan and Rolpa districts. The Maoists CA members are still making financial contribution for the operation of these schools.

“Though the primary objective of the to-be-established schools is not to shift the students from unregistered school to registered ones, they may be shifted to the new schools

in the near future,” Dr Poudel said.

He further added that the residential schools would begin classes from the new academic session beginning in April.