After the Flood Took So Much, Nepal Moves to Protect Their Education With a Rs 1 Arba Scholarship Plan for Affected Children

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

Rs 1 Arba to Protect Their Future

The Ministry of Education and Sports, led by Minister Sasmit Pokharel, announced the approximately Rs 1 Arba “Secure Future Scholarship Scheme” in Kathmandu on September 7 to ensure that children whose education has been threatened by the devastating Bhotekoshi flood can continue studying. Developed in cooperation with private educational organizations and other partners, the program is expected to support around 1,000 flood-affected students from early childhood development through Grade 12, because the disaster has damaged schools, separated children from families and disrupted education for thousands.

More Than Just Free Schooling

The program goes beyond simply covering school fees.

Depending on each child's circumstances, students can receive full, partial or residential scholarships.

Support can also include:

• Textbooks

• School uniforms

• Educational materials

• Accommodation

• Meals

• Other necessary educational support

The goal is to prevent children already affected by the disaster from facing another loss: their education.

Around 1,000 Students Could Benefit

Approximately 1,000 students are expected to benefit from the initiative.

The program covers children beginning at the early childhood development level and continuing through Grade 12.

The assistance will not necessarily be identical for every student. Authorities plan to assess children's individual situations and determine the level and type of support they need.

That could mean studying locally with financial support for some children, while others may need accommodation or placement in residential schools.

Children Who Lost Parents Get Priority

The scholarship is designed to prioritize children facing the most difficult circumstances.

According to the Education Minister, children who have lost both parents will receive first priority, followed by those who have lost one parent.

The family's financial circumstances will also be considered when determining what support a student needs.

If necessary, children can be identified for education in residential schools or provided hostel arrangements. Those who want to remain and continue studying in their own communities can also receive support based on their circumstances.

Private Schools Are Joining the Program

The government is not funding and implementing the initiative alone.

The Ministry is working with organizations representing Nepal's private education sector, including PABSON, N-PABSON, HISSAN and organizations representing preschool and Montessori institutions.

Government bodies at federal, provincial and local levels, along with other governmental and non-governmental organizations, are also expected to contribute.

The Ministry has called on additional educational institutions and private organizations to join the effort.

Thousands of Students Have Had Their Education Disrupted

The scale of the educational damage explains why such a program became necessary.

According to preliminary information cited by RSS-based reporting, 19 schools in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading have been completely or partially damaged, while the education of approximately 9,742 students has been disrupted.

The flood affected communities far beyond individual school buildings. Families have been displaced, students have lost educational materials, and some children may no longer be able to attend the schools where they previously studied.

Missing Student Figures Remain Preliminary

Reports currently contain different figures regarding teachers and students still missing or out of contact.

RSS-based reporting cites preliminary information indicating 16 teachers and 217 students remain missing, while Kantipur, citing preliminary Education Ministry information, reported 28 teachers and more than 500 students out of contact.

Because search and identification efforts continue and the figures have not been consistently reported across sources, these numbers should be treated as preliminary rather than final.

The Scholarship Could Continue Beyond This Flood

One of the most important parts of the program is that it is not intended only as a temporary response to the current disaster.

Minister Pokharel said the initiative is designed to develop a system that can also help children affected by future disasters, accidents or the loss of parents.

The government wants cooperation between public institutions, private schools and social organizations to continue so children do not permanently drop out of education because their families experience a disaster.

A Disaster Should Not Decide a Child's Future

The Bhotekoshi flood has already taken an enormous toll on families.

For children, losing a home, a family member or a school can create consequences lasting far beyond the immediate disaster.

The Secure Future Scholarship Scheme attempts to prevent one of those long-term consequences.

Around Rs 1 Arba cannot restore everything children have lost.

But by helping around 1,000 affected students remain in classrooms, receive books and uniforms, have somewhere to stay and continue learning, the program aims to ensure that a disaster that changed their lives does not also decide their future.