Private investment in schools tops Rs 500 billion

Published On: January 14, 2018 01:33 AM NPT By: Ruby Rauniyar


KATHMANDU, Jan 14: Promoters of private education in the country has invested Rs 500 billion in their institutions. The investment is for physical infrastructure and human resources. The annual total income of private institutions (fees received from students) has reached Rs 200 billion. 

"About Rs 500 billion has already been invested by the private sector in establishing schools," said Madhu Lohani, secretary of Private and Boarding Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON). "This investment is for infrastructure development and management of manpower."

According to PABSON data, there are more than 8,000 private schools operating in Nepal. Altogether 1.8 million students, from kindergarten to grade 12, are enrolled in these schools. Private schools employ about 250,000 people as teachers, other staff, drivers, and sweepers. Government schools currently have 6.2 million students.
"About Rs, 120 billion goes yearly into employee management in the form of salaries," said Lohani.

According to the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR), Rs 420 million has been received from private educational institutions as education service tax. The education service tax is paid by the guardians of the students. 

Lohani also said that private educational institutions in the country have been collaborating recently with foreign schools. Such cooperation has helped Nepali students learn about the culture, lifestyle, languages, and traditions of other countries.

"Today's students are being prepared to find employment in other countries," said Lohani.
Shiva Karki of  PABSON Lalitpur said that the achievements in education today are due to the investment of billions by the private sector.

"The safety of this investment should be guaranteed," he said.


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