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In a heartening development from one of Chitwan’s most remote areas, Chepang children studying at Kandeshwori Basic School in Rapti Municipality-13 have achieved remarkable academic success, marking a significant milestone for the marginalized community.
Kandeshwori Basic School, located in Kanda and attended exclusively by Chepang students, was declared the best-performing school in this year’s local-level Grade Eight examinations. Impressively, this recognition came in the very first year the school began offering classes up to Grade Eight.
According to Headteacher Bal Krishna Thapaliya, the school’s residential facility has played a transformative role. “Our students are doing exceptionally well after the establishment of the hostel. This year, out of 13 students who appeared in the exam, one secured an A+, seven achieved an A, and two received B+ grades. These results reflect the dedication of both teachers and students,” he said.
The student’s academic improvement is largely credited to the rigorous routine and support structure established by the Laxmi Foundation, which operates the hostel. At the school, students follow a disciplined schedule, studying from 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Rapti Municipality has 27 community schools, and only three-including Kandeshwori-achieved a 100 percent pass rate in the Grade Eight exams, shared Laxmi Lamichhane, Technical Assistant at the Municipality’s Education Section. “Kandeshwori has proven that schools in remote areas can compete with urban institutions. Kanda, despite lacking basic infrastructure like roads and electricity, is setting an educational example,” Lamichhane added.
Resident Sita Bahadur Chepang echoed this sentiment. “This area is still without transportation and electricity, but we are seeing real change in education. Parents are now more motivated to send their children to school,” he shared.
The progress is the result of joint efforts by the Laxmi Foundation and the Miteri Foundation, who began educational initiatives to address poverty within the Chepang community. While the Laxmi Foundation runs the hostel, the Miteri Foundation has supported the school in extending its curriculum up to Grade Eight.
Previously, many Chepang children had no option but to drop out after Grade 3 due to financial constraints. “Without the support of these organizations, most of our students would not be in school today,” said Headteacher Thapaliya.
Despite the achievements, challenges remain. The school operates with only seven government teacher positions and serves 150 students. It still lacks essential facilities like toilets and a library and struggles to sustain operations due to insufficient teacher quotas.
However, the success of Kandeshwori School is a powerful reminder that with the right support, even the most marginalized communities can thrive.
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