Children from various parts of Dasharathchand Municipality in Baitadi district have been compelled to go to schools in Jhulaghat, India, for their studies. The reason being that students have to walk a long distance to reach schools on the Nepali side, while the Indian schools are just a kilometre away.

There are four schools—Kailpal Basic School, Shiva Basic School, Tripurasundari Basic School and Jagadamba Secondary School—on the Nepali side, but parents say it is easier for their children to go to schools in India.

According to locals, children have to climb up a hill, travel through forests and walk a distance of around 9km to reach schools on the Nepali side.

“Schools in Jhulaghat, India, are nearer to us than the schools on the Nepali side. That is why we send our children to India,” said Manmati Thapa, a local.

Children from Dasharathchand-8, 9 and 10 have to cross an old suspension bridge built over Mahakali River at Jhulaghat to reach the schools in India. Laxman Thapa, headmaster of Kailapal Basic School, said that at least 24 children from Dasharathchand Municipality have been studying at various schools across the border.

“We want more children to attend our school. But because of the geographical remoteness, children are not interested to join our school,” said Thapa.

Diwan Bista of Dasharathchand Municipality, who is a 12th grader in Rajakiya International College in Jhulaghat, said he started studying in India at a young age.

“It is easier for us to attend schools in India than in Nepal. Most of the children from my village study in India as well,” said Bista.