The Government of India has provided a grant assistance of Rs 24.94 million for the construction of a school building in Khalanga Bazaar, Jumla district.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shakar Mukherjee today laid the foundation stone for the new building of Shree Chandannath Higher Secondary School in Khalanga Bazaar being constructed with Indian grant.

Established in 1951 and upgraded to higher secondary level in 1963, Shree Chandannath Higher Secondary School is one of the important educational institutions of this remote district in Nepal's mid-Western region. The school presently has over 1100 students, of which almost half are girl students. The new double-storied building being constructed with the assistance of Government of India will provide the school with improved infrastructure to cater to the needs of growing number of students and contribute to the development of education in Jumla and adjoining districts.

The project is being implemented by the District Development Committee of Jumla while an oversight committee consisting of representatives from the school management committee, and District Education Office has been constituted to ensure community participation in overseeing the project for its effective and timely implementation.

Addressing the function, Ambassador of India reiterated the commitment to extend all possible assistance to the people and Government of Nepal in their endeavor to seek lasting peace and development. He underlined the importance of educational infrastructure for Nepal's future development and highlighted the primacy being given to the education sector in the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme.

This is the first development project undertaken by Government of India in Jumla in recent years. In addition, one ambulance has been gifted by the Indian government to District Hospital, Jumla, a press statement issued by the Indian embassy said.

Sources : nepalnews.com mk Nov 26