Students at Thalepokhara in Kadebash VDC in the district have to walk for six hours to reach their school and return home every day as there are no lower secondary and secondary schools in the village.

Keshav Galami of Kadebash-7, a tenth grader at Shiva Higher Secondary School, said he cannot have even his breakfast as he has to leave his house at 7 in the morning. Like Galami, 25 students, including Gunja Bahadur KC, Sangita BK and Devi Galami, walk for hours every day to attend classes.

All of these students belong to underprivileged and Dalit communities where most parents work as daily wage workers.

The village has two primary schools: Thalepokhara and Nababihani primary schools. However, after students complete their primary level education, they have no option other than walking for three hours to reach the in Shiva Higher Secondary School in Kadebash-1. Tanka Bahadur KC, head teacher at the school, said a majority of students from Thalepokhara drop out due to their daily long commute.

Gunja Bahadur KC, a local resident, said students fall ill due to the long walk. “Many students quit studies after completing lower secondary level education. Even parents are frustrated due to problem,” he said.

Galami said even parents, in some cases, force their children to drop out as they need extra hands to carry out household activities.

Meanwhile, performance of the students is very poor as they are compelled to walk for six hours a day.

During winter, students face additional difficulties as they walk on foot. “We are demanding funds from the District Education Office and donors to establish hostel in the school,” head teacher KC said.

District Education Officer Bishnu Tiwari said his office will take initiation to keep students in hostel.