Top 10 Districts with Least Education Outreach in Nepal

Last updated on 2024-04-25

Nepal is a small country with a 29 Million population, is home to eight out of the ten highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. The mountainous topography of the land-locked country marks tremendous challenges for socioeconomic development and creates hurdles and costs to expand Nepal’s infrastructure, resources, and opportunities. With the demographics surplus, Nepal increases its dependency rate especially for its continuous and sustainable growth and improvement in the quality of education. With 77 districts and provincial governments, Nepal is growing but still has not reached a sufficient level of educational growth in many districts. There are districts with few populations residing but the resources are still not enough for the residents living in that region. Here, we have listed the top ten districts that need more concern by the Government in regards to the quality of education provided to them.

*The ranking is based on a report published by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology 2018/19.

10. Manang

Image Source: Collegenp.com

Manang district situated between Annapurna massif and the Chinese border is one of the districts in Province 4. Popular for its very dry and desolate yet amazing landscape, Manang is developing as one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal for both domestic and international visitors. With the rise in the tourism industry, Manang however still lacks behind the education sector in Nepal. With almost 26 lower secondary and 7 higher secondary community schools, Manang has only 309 students enrolled from grade 1 to 12. It has only 1 institutional school for grades 1 to 10 but does not have any institutional school for high school. It has nearly 68 students enrolled in grade 1, yet only 46 students were enrolled in grade 10. Manang is one of the most beautiful cities in Nepal and now with improved transportation facilities, education resources and facilities should be made more accessible to the residents so that we have more upskilled students graduating from the district.

Community Schools : 30
Institutional Schools : 1
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 309
Class 1 Enrollment : 68
Class 10 Enrollment : 46

9. Mustang

Image Source: Nepalitimes

Mustang district also known as “Land beyond the Himalayas'' is one of the districts in province 4, located in the Kali Gandaki Valley of the Himalayan region of Western Nepal. As its name suggests, Mustang (from the Tibetan Muntan meaning “fertile plain”) is largely day and arid. Situated in almost 2000 meters to above 8000 meters, Mustang is the second district that is lacking behind the education sector in Nepal. With 63 lower secondary schools and 7 higher secondary community schools, Mustang has 1,883 students enrolled from grade 1 to 12. It has 4 lower secondary institutional schools, whereas only 1 higher secondary institutional school. As per students enrollment, Mustang has calculated 447 students enrolled in grade 1 whereas only 153 students were enrolled in grade 10. One of the major causes behind this literacy gap may be the limited resources available in terms of transportation, education materials, and learning environment. Children especially studying in the lower secondary should be encouraged to continue their education.

Community Schools : 70
Institutional Schools : 5
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 1883
Class 1 Enrollment : 447
Class 10 Enrollment : 153

8. Dolpa

Image Source: Os Nepal

Dolpa, the largest district in Nepal (by area) is situated in Province 6, Karnali. The district is blessed with natural beauty, with Mount Sisne and Kanjiroba, Mountain passes, as well as the fascinating waters of Shey-Phoksundo lake has attracted tourists from all around the world. The education sector is in a progressive manner but still has not quite hit the mark and is slightly lacking behind. Dolpa consists of 126 community schools that commute almost all of the students in the region as there are no Institutional schools which provide the necessary education. The total number of students enrolled from Grade 1 to Grade 12 can be found to be around 11,604. Among these students, the total number enrollment for Grade 1 can be found to be nearly 1,635 whereas the students who are enrolled in Grade 10 can be found to be around 694. This can also be an indication of the lack of quality education in the district.

Community Schools : 126
Institutional Schools : 0
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 11,604
Class 1 Enrollment : 1,635
Class 10 Enrollment : 694

7. Rukum West

Image Source: Collegenp.com

Rukum West district falls under Province Number 6, Karnali of Nepal. Rukum west was originally a part of Rukum which was later divided in 2015. The whole district mostly consists of hilly terrain. Previously considered as an underdeveloped remote district, Rukum west now has a developing transportation facility, education facility, and health facility. The education sectors of the district have been in a developing condition but it can still extend its reach out more. The district has a total of 143 community schools which serve as the backbone for education in all of the district. Apart from the community school, only one institutional school till the secondary level is present within the district. A total of around 19,941 students are enrolled from Primary to High school. These total students are mostly from the community schools in the district. A total of around 2,841 students get enrolled in Grade 1 whereas around 1,172 students get enrolled in Grade 10.

Community Schools : 143
Institutional Schools : 1
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 19,941
Class 1 Enrollment : 2,841
Class 10 Enrollment : 1,172

6. Rasuwa

Image Source: Collegenp.com

Rasuwa, a district rich in natural resources, is one of the 13 districts of province 3. Derived from two Tibetan words, Rasuwa signifies its popularity for lamb and grazing lands. With almost 31.43% of forest and 16.63% of snow-covered natural beauty, Rasuwa is one of the districts that need more education outreach in Nepal. With 90 lower secondary and 19 higher secondary community schools, Rasuwa has 11,372 students enrolled in grade 1 to 12. However, in terms of institutional schools, Rasuwa has only 10 lower secondary and 4 higher secondary schools. In grade 1, Rasuwa was calculated to have 1228 students registered but in grade 10 the figure decreased to 763.

Community Schools : 109
Institutional Schools : 14
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 11,372
Class 1 Enrollment : 1,228
Class 10 Enrollment : 763

5. Humla

Image Source: Karuna Shechen

Humla is the second largest district (by area) in Nepal following Dolpa. It is situated in Province number 6, Karnali. The district is a paradise of nature having beautiful mountains, lakes, and valleys while also being rich in ethnic and ecological diversity. Although having abundant natural beauty it is also considered a remote part of Nepal having fewer transportation facilities due to the terrain. Humla has a developing education sector even though being one of the remote areas in all of the nation, it has been able to accommodate 162 community schools that provide education to almost all of its population as there are no institutional schools present. A total of around 18,835 students are enrolled in those community schools from Grade 1 to Grade 12. The number of students enrolled in Grade 1 is found to be around 3,717 but this number has been seen to decrease in a higher grade of education as the number of students enrolled in Grade 10 is found to be around 1,003.

Community Schools : 162
Institutional Schools : 0
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 18,835
Class 1 Enrollment : 3,717
Class 10 Enrollment : 1,003

4. Jumla

Image Source: The Himalayan Times

Jumla is the district headquarters of the Chandannath Municipality in the Karnali province of Nepal. It is situated at an elevation of 2514 meters. Jumli Marshi rice, distinct red rice praised for its distinct flavor, is grown in Jumla at elevations ranging from 2,400 to 3,050 meters, the highest in the world. Sinja Khola Valley, located near the banks of the Tila River, is covered with paddy fields that produce Marshi rice. With 180 lower secondary and 49 higher secondary community schools, Jumla has 42683 students enrolled in grade 1 to 12. However, in terms of institutional schools, Jumla has no lower secondary and higher secondary schools. In grade 1, Jumla was calculated to have 7272 students registered but in grade 10 the figure decreased to 2506.

Community Schools : 229
Institutional Schools : 0
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 42,683
Class 1 Enrollment : 7,272
Class 10 Enrollment : 2506

3. Mugu

Image Source: Nepal24hours

The most remote and least developed Mugu district is one of the most natural inhabitant places of Nepal. Nepal’s largest lake, the Rara Lake, is located in Mugu District. Many domestic, as well as international tourists, visit Rara Lake which is located at a height of 2,990 meters and spans an area of 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi). It is protected and surrounded by the Rara National Park. Natural resources abound in the isolated Mugu area. Mugu, on the other hand, falls behind Nepal's education sector. Mugu has 20,983 students enrolled in 145 lower secondary and 23 higher secondary community schools from grades 1 to 12. In terms of Institutional schools Mugu district has just four lower secondary schools and two upper secondary schools. Mugu had 2778 students in grade one, but by grade ten, the number had decreased to 1131.

Community Schools : 168
Institutional Schools : 6
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 20,983
Class 1 Enrollment : 2,778
Class 10 Enrollment : 1,131

2. Myagdi

Image Source: The Himalayan Times

Myagdi, a gateway for tourism destinations, is one of the districts among 11 other districts in Gandaki Province. Withholding its own historical identity, based on the name of the river “Myagdi'', it carries a lot of religious as well as political significance. Even after holding a lot of historical values, Myagdi is still lagging behind other districts when it comes to educational percentage. Myagdi has 249 secondary level and 65 higher secondary level community schools with just 21,099 students enrolled in grade 1 to 12. Whereas in the case of institutional schools, Myagdi holds 23 lower secondary and 11 higher secondary schools with 2738 students being enrolled in grade 1 but by grade 10, the number decreased to 2315 students.

Community Schools : 314
Institutional Schools : 24
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 21,099
Class 1 Enrollment : 2,738
Class 10 Enrollment : 2,315

1. Tehrathum

Image Source: The Kathmandu Post

Terhathum is a hilly district among many other districts in Province 1, which is famous for its rich medicinal plants and herbs. A total of 105 vascular plants were identified as potentially useful in the treatment of various illnesses. Most of the year, the temperature is mild and temperate, making it a great destination to visit at any time. However, as a result of its location and isolation, this district has lagged behind in education. Tehrathum has 206 students enrolled in lower secondary and 38 higher secondary community schools from grades 1 to 12. In terms of Institutional schools, Tehrathum district has just 32 lower secondary schools and 13 upper secondary schools. Tehrathum had 2886 students in grade one, but by grade ten, the number had decreased to 1933.

Community Schools : 244
Institutional Schools : 45
Total Students Enrolled (Grade 1 to 12) : 26,645
Class 1 Enrollment : 2,886
Class 10 Enrollment : 1,933