Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 17:

The government has announced budget allocation for scholarships to students at the higher secondary level in the 22 districts having very low Human Development Index. Each fresh SLC gradate from the 22 districts wanting to pursue higher education will be eligible for a scholarship fund of Rs 2000 a month for the next two years, the budget for fiscal year 2005-06 says. Though the ‘Education for All’ focuses on secondary-level education, special

provision has been made for 22 highly impoverished remote districts including Rasuwa, Manang, Mugu, Myagdi, Mustang, Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, Kalikot, Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Jajarkot, Doti, Achham, Bajura, Bajhang, Baitadi. The Ministry of Education and Sports is rushing to prepare a plan to execute the programme within mid-August. The budget has also provided for cash award of Rs 400,000 for community schools in remote areas which have higher pass percentage in SLC. Study on probability of merging the higher secondary and the secondary education as well as extending primary education to the eighth grade will be conducted during 2005-06, the budget has said. Over Rs 21 billion has been allocated the for education sector.