Until 1951 education in Nepal was not available to everyone, rather it was restricted to the ruling families and their close counterparts.  Since 1951 things have changed radically and to this day the Nepalese government is continually committed to the improvement, development and expansion of education in Nepal.

A lack of funds, parts of the country that suffer from inaccessibility and a nation that is intrinsically poor with citizens who cannot afford to send their children to school however restricts the government’s effort which is why many expatriates living and working in Nepal are actually assisting with educational programmes.

For international citizens with jobs in Nepal who have chosen to relocate with their families there are a few international schooling options such as the Lincoln School and the British School of Kathmandu for example where the American and English curricula are taught through the medium of English by internationally qualified staff.  Schooling is available at these international schools from preschool to high school level.

Nepalese children can attend school from the age of six with the occasional preschool class available in the most populated and affluent areas of the country.  For pupils who remain in school to grade 10 there is a School Leaving Certificate examination where good grades can enable a student to go on to higher secondary school and possibly even university.

The levels of literacy in Nepal are not great – they have however improved dramatically since 1951 and now stand at around 48.6% with about 30% more boys and men able to read and write than girls.  As mentioned Nepal is a very poor nation which means that the vast majority of families have to keep at least one of their children at home to assist with day to day work and chores – if a family has boys and girls the boys will always receive preferential treatment when it comes to access to education.

There are many aid and development associations working in Nepal and among them are those attempting to bring education in Nepal to rural areas and to teach that females have as much right to schooling and opportunity as boys – but traditions are deeply ingrained and it will take many decades to change the opinions widely held.