KMC expands student enrollment in new session

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 16: Kathmandu Metropolitan City has expanded student enrollment in the new academic session by 5,514 additional students in early child development classes and 6,566 additional students in classes 1 to 9.

According to the KMC, there are 87 public schools within the metropolitan city with the capacity to enroll approximately 47,694 students from early childhood development to class 10. 

Out of the 87 schools, three are located on prison premises, four are special schools, and one each is night school and cultural school. Additionally, two schools are currently under construction. 

Engineer Shailendra Jha, a member of the Urban Planning Commission, informed that the school capacity was determined based on indicators such as available physical infrastructure, educational materials and the number of teachers. He said that early child development classes had a capacity to enroll 5,514 students. Similarly, class 1 had a capacity for 3,429 students, class 2 for 3,327 students, class 3 for 3,359, class 4 for 3,600, class 5 for 3,800, class 6 for 4,405, class 7 for 4,538, class 8 for 5,290 and class 9 for 4,958 students. 

Meanwhile, the metropolis has launched admission campaigns ‘Not by force but by will-our children in community schools’ and ‘ Creative learning in educational transformation campaign, community school parents’ first choice’ from April 14 to 19 for the new academic session starting from April 21. 

Saraswati Pokhrel, acting head of the Education Department at the KMC, said that preparations were underway in schools for enrollment, including book distribution, maintenance of school buildings and classrooms and organising laboratories.

She informed that integrated education would be provided from early childhood development classes to Class 3. Similarly, creative educational activities would be conducted from Class 4 to 8 under the ‘Book Free Friday’ programme. 

According to engineer Jha, the KMC had increased investment for educational reforms, with approximately Rs 2.75 billion allocated for this year. This includes Rs 922.9 million for regular programmes, Rs 50 million for the KMC Pride Project focusing on education and an additional Rs 50 million for the Golden Project. Out of this, Rs 1.47 billion will be raised from internal sources, while Rs 1.27 billion will be collected from various associations, he added.