Kathmandu Metropolitan City Instruction: Private School Scholarship Deadline for Marginalized Students, Jestha
30th April 2025, Kathmandu
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has instructed all private schools to provide scholarship details for underprivileged, disabled, female, Dalit, indigenous, conflict-affected, and martyr families’ children by the first week of Jestha (May/June). This is part of the city’s efforts to make education accessible to marginalized groups.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Instruction
Deadline for Submission
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has set a clear deadline. Private schools in the city must submit detailed information on the scholarships they plan to offer. This includes the list of students who will receive scholarships, the application process, and how students will be informed. Schools must ensure that this information reaches the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Education Department by the first week of Jestha.
Neetranaryan Paudel, Education Officer at Kathmandu Metropolitan City, emphasized that the details should be posted on the school’s notice board. Schools must also make the application process accessible to all eligible students and their parents.
Focus on Inclusivity
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has called for an inclusive approach. Scholarships will be given to students from vulnerable communities. These include economically disadvantaged students, those with disabilities, women, Dalit and indigenous students, as well as children from conflict-affected and martyr families. Paudel noted that schools should focus on these groups when selecting scholarship recipients.
Under the current legal framework, schools with fewer than 500 students must allocate at least 10% of their scholarships to these students. Schools with between 500 and 800 students must allocate 12%, and schools with over 800 students are required to provide 15% of their scholarships to such students. These measures align with existing laws aimed at ensuring equal educational opportunities for marginalized groups.
Legal Consequences for Non-compliance
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has made it clear that schools failing to meet these requirements will face legal consequences. Schools that do not submit the necessary scholarship details could risk having their licenses revoked, as per the Education Act of 2075 (2018). Kathmandu Metropolitan City has warned that legal actions will be taken against non-compliant schools to enforce adherence to the scholarship guidelines.
To make the process transparent, Kathmandu Metropolitan City will continue using its ‘Scholarship Entry System,’ which has been used in previous academic years. This system helps streamline the scholarship distribution process and ensures fairness.
Formation of Scholarship Committees
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has instructed each school to establish a Scholarship Management Committee. This committee will include the ward chairperson or a designated representative, the school principal, a Kathmandu Metropolitan City Education Inspector, and a parent representative. The committee will ensure that the scholarship allocation is done per legal requirements and Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s educational goals.
Online Submission and Public Awareness
Schools are required to submit scholarship details online through Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s official platform. The details must also be posted on the school’s notice boards for easy access by students and parents. By doing so, Kathmandu Metropolitan City aims to make sure that everyone is informed about the scholarship opportunities and how to apply for them.
Previous Scholarship Data
In the past academic sessions, the number of students receiving scholarships has increased significantly. In the 2080 academic year, around 13,000 students from grades 1 to 10 received scholarships. In 2081, this number rose to nearly 19,000. Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s scholarship initiatives have been well-received and have contributed to increasing educational access for underprivileged students.
Looking Ahead
Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s scholarship program is part of a larger effort to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. By continuing to focus on inclusivity and transparency, Kathmandu Metropolitan City hopes to create a more equitable education system in Kathmandu. Schools are urged to meet the deadline and ensure that the scholarship process benefits the students who need it most.
For more: Kathmandu Metropolitan City Instruction
