Education Minister announces free education for flood-affected students

Speaking at a programme organized to announce the ‘Sure Future Scholarship Scheme’ organized with the objective of providing free education to students and children of flood-affected areas on Monday, Minister Pokharel said scholarships and studies would be arranged at different levels depending on the situation of the students affected by the disaster. According to him, the plan is not only to provide immediate support to the students of flood-affected areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading but also to make long-term arrangements for children who are deprived of education due to future disasters. Stating that the State was not alone during the time of disaster, Minister Pokharel said the support received from private sector, various organizations and citizens has motivated the government to work more responsibly.

He said, “In the last few days, all of us, the entire country is in a state of mourning. In such a situation, various organizations and individuals have contributed to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. It is not only financial support but also the trust and trust shown by the citizens in the government. It also motivates and motivates us to work harder.” Minister Pokharel said that the state was not alone during the time of disaster, adding that the participation of various sectors in rescue, relief and rehabilitation has given the message of national unity.

According to him, security personnel, employees, ministers, various organizations and the general public have been directly deployed in the disaster-hit areas.

Education Minister Pokharel said that there is a need to change the old attitude of preparing only after a disaster. He said that there is a need for preparedness for disaster management in the education sector as some natural disaster is occurring in Nepal almost every year.

He said, “In the past, there was a tradition of preparing for disasters and finally prepared. We want to move a little ahead by breaking that as well. Today’s program has been organized in collaboration with various organizations thinking not only for the floods in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading but also for other disasters that may come in the future.” According to the minister, this time not only scholarships will be given to the students affected by floods and landslides, but also the students who have lost their parents due to the disaster and economically weak students will be given priority on priority.

The ministry plans to give first priority to students who have lost both parents, to those who have lost one parent and to other affected students on the basis of their financial status. According to the ministry, different types of assistance will be provided according to the needs and circumstances of the students. There is a plan to send some students to study in residential schools, to give full scholarships to some and to arrange hostels as per the need. Minister Pokharel said that support would be provided to the students who want to study in the local area.

Various organizations in the private education sector have participated in the ‘Assured Future Scholarship Scheme’. Representatives of PABSON, NPABSON, HISSAN, OPIN and Nepal Montessori Association participated in the program.

Minister Pokharel said that these organizations have pledged to provide support not only to the students affected by this disaster but also to other children who may face future disasters, accidents or lose their parents. Education Minister Pokharel has called on other private sectors and organizations to join the scholarship scheme. He said that collaboration between the government and the private sector is necessary to continue the education of disaster-affected children.

The Ministry is preparing to continue the cooperation of government mechanisms, private schools and various social organizations to prevent children from falling out of education due to the disaster.

Minister Pokharel thanked the institutions involved in the ‘Assured Future Scholarship Scheme’ and stressed the need of further strengthening the collaboration between the state and society in the education sector.