RAMECHHAP, FEBRUARY 1
Most community research centres in Ramechhap are on the verge of closure as they lack funds. The government had set up such centres in villages to cultivate reading culture.
Now, these centres have come under the local government, and they are running a range of activities, from women's literacy to skill-based training for financial activities through cooperatives. A total of 46 community research centres were set up in the district. Some of them are now closed.
"There is lack of fund and also monitoring, which is why the community research centre we set up earlier is now on the verge of closure," said Falasi Community Research Centre's Bishnu Kafle, adding that other research centres across the district too were facing a similar fate.
Community Research Centre Salu's Hari Bhattarai observed that lack of buildings and meagre salaries for social mobilisers designated for such centres were to blame for the dismal performance of such centres.
"We have nine community centres in operation in Manthali Municipality alone; almost all of them - except Bhimeshwor Community Research Centre at Chisapani - are struggling to keep afloat due to lack of fund," said the municipality's Education Department Chief Hemanta Budhathoki.
According to Bhimeshwor Community Research Centre Treasurer Bhreedhar Ghimire, the study centre is conducting activities related to literacy, income generation, agriculture, health and protection of local culture.
On his part, Manthali Municipality Mayor Ramesh Basnet acknowledged the important role played by such centres in development of society and pledged to allocate budget to support them.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 2, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
