KATHMANDU: The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) will provide free education to 500 students of 14 districts affected by the April 25 earthquake last year.

The information was shared by CTEVT spokesperson Shiva Shankar Ghimire at a press conference in the CTEVT premises today.

Ghimire, however, made it clear that only those children who have obtained 'A' category identity cards provided by the government to quake survivors will be eligible for the special technical education.

He added that the classes will be conducted from June 2.

Quake-affected students from districts including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavrepalanchok, Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Makawanpur, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhuli and Okhaldhunga are eligible for the programme.

The students who will receive scholarship will also be given a living allowance of Rs 3,500 per month and a transport allowance of Rs 1,500 annually. Rs 2,500 as a dress allowance and cost-free tuition and hostel facility will be provided as well.

CTEVT Member-Secretary Ramhari Lamichhane said that Rs 650 million would be spent in providing scholarship to the students from the impoverished communities.

"Annually Rs 1.02 billion would be spent in the scholarship for 88 students," he said.