Situation of Education in Nepal

Education is an important means of improving social status, bringing down gender barriers and breaking out of the vicious cycle of poverty by offering prospects of gainful employment. Education also provides an alternative to premature work. In 2005, the literacy rate was estimated at 47 percent of the adult population in Nepal, with a large gap between male and female literacy rates. Only 30 percent of the female population was literate compared to 65 percent of the males. Primary school begins at the age of 6 and lasts until age 10. Secondary education that follows lasts until the age of 15.
Secondary school enrollment included only 45 percent (50 percent of the boys of that age group and 39 percent of the girls) in 2002-2003. Formal schooling in Nepal is constrained by economic and cultural factors such as a bias against educating girls and a need for children to work at home or in the fields.
Urban areas have higher literacy rates than rural areas.
Education expenditure as a share of gross national product (GNP) is 3.4 percent (2002-2003).
Number of years of compulsory schooling is 5 years.
Number of students per teacher in primary schools is 36 students per teacher.
The present student teacher ratio is 1:50, 1:45, and 1:40 in the Terai/valley, hills, and mountain districts respectively.
Only 2% of dalits and only 10% of disabled are literate.
The on-going armed conflict in the country instigated in Feb 1996 had made a great impact on education in the country. This year (January- September 2006) it has been reported that around 3840 schools were affected by armed conflict. It was recorded that 3735 schools were closed from time to time. Bunkers were built in at least 56 schools and some of the schools that were closed remained permanently closed.
Likewise, 32 schools were affected by bomb explosions and at least 8 schools were destroyed by setting fire and 3 schools were affected in crossfire between conflicting parties. Around 8 Schools were used by security forces and 3 schools were affected by CPN-Maoists training program in school with arms.
Similarly, 1531 teachers were directly affected by armed conflict, among which 7 male teachers lost their lives.