Bajura, February 17

Prakash Chadara,16, of Bhrabisa VDC, Bajura opted for employment in India as he could not continue his further studies due to poverty. Prakash passed the School Leaving Certificate examinations from a local Bhagawati High School with second division in 2072 BS. He paid for his tuition fees by working as a waged labourer in the village. He currently works as a security guard at night and washes vehicles during the day time in Delhi.

His school teacher, Damber Singh remembers Prakash as a studious student though he could not attend the school on regular basis. “He wanted to pursue technical education, but poverty forced him to give up his education,” he added.

Prakash is the second youngest among his eight siblings. His parents Rin and Kaushila are running the family by working as waged labourers. As they own no land and property, his family has been staying in a small hut in their landlord’s land. His brothers and sisters were bound to drop out too, as the family couldn’t afford to pay their tuition fees.

“I had no choice but to send my son to India,” said Kaushila, adding “My heart broke when he had to quit studies before he left for Delhi.”

Like Prakash many children of Bajura have dropped out of school due to poverty. Several government and non-government organisations working in the field of education have yet to reach poor children.