NATIONAL 9 (Spotlight Weelky)]

Faceless And Helpless

The State of the World's Children 2001 report paints a grim picture of Nepalese children in comparison to those of other SAARC countries

By KESHAB POUDEL

On the day UNICEF released its State of the World's Children 2001 report, Nepalese children were finally allowed to attend classes after a weeklong forced closure.

Although the shutdown came to an end, the school management, parents and children are yet to cope with the shock it produced. At a time when UNICEF's report points to the need to take appropriate steps to send more and more children to school, the shutdown set back Nepal's education drive.

In all South Asian countries where all political parties, despite differences on many political issues, are supporting education programs, few understand why a political party in Nepal would want to disrupt the classes. Even in war-torn Sri Lanka, the number of school-going children continues to go up.

A girl involved in house--chore : Exemplifies the plight

As some student groups are still vowing to close down the schools once again, enrolment rates of Nepalese children may be adversely affected.

The State of World's Children 2001 shows that Nepal is far behind all other South Asian nations in per capita income and under-5 infant mortality, life expectancy and literacy rates.

Interestingly, Nepal leads in primary school enrolment ratio in the region.

According to the report, Nepal ranks 47th in the under-5 mortality rate. Nepal's position in life expectancy, literacy and primary school enrolment ratio are 58th, 48th and 122nd respectively.

Just a few years back, Nepal's overall position was better than Bhutan's and Bangladesh's. If the present trend continues, Nepal may fall into a bottomless pit.

India, Bangladesh and Bhutan have a far better position in many areas. Pakistan ranks lowest in under-5 infant mortality rate and primary school enrolment ratio.

Nepal's primary school enrolment ratio is the highest in South Asia as it ranks 122nd. Nepal's overall literacy rate declines because of high school dropout rates.

In rural areas, many girl children are denied the opportunity of going to school because of different factors. Girl children who are enrolled tend to drop out at any time.

Because of the efforts made by international non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies, the situation is gradually changing and more and more girl children are now enrolled in primary schools.

According to the UNICEF report, the condition of young children in Nepal is mixed. The report shows that child mortality is high, malnutrition is common and sanitation and indoor air quality is poor and few children receive more than a few years of education.

"Despite the pressure of economic survival, we have good evidence that Nepalese families are naturally concerned with all aspects of a child's life," said Stewart McNab, Representative, UNICEF Nepal. "Time and again we find common practices in villages that draw creativity on minimal resources."

Nepal has initiated many programs to increase enrolment but they are yet to yield desired results. Despite continuous efforts, dropout rates among children continue to remain high.

As the number of people under the poverty line goes up, so does the number of malnourished children. As long as political parties fail to see child development as a priority sector, the situation will not improve.

HINDU VIDYAPEETH
Networking Nepalis

A school tries to link Nepalis living abroad with their motherland

By A CORRESPONDENT

It doesn't matter where you live. What matters is what you have contributed to your country. This was the message conveyed at a speech and debate competition organized by Hindu Vidya Peeth Nepal (HVP/N), a school that integrates scientific and spiritual knowledge in its education system.

A total of 42 students from three HVP schools took part in the competition. HVP Support Group, USA offered a cash prize equivalent to the annual tuition fees of the students who stood first in the competition. Those who stood second were awarded a cash prize equivalent to six months' tuition fees. A total of 14 students benefited from the scheme. "This is a small token on behalf of 12 colleagues now working in the USA toward our motherland," said Sunil Shakya, who represented the HVP support group.

Addressing the function, Mohan Koirala, Vice-Chancellor of Royal Nepal Academy, said education without the right vision does not help students to lead their life toward the right path. Chintamani Yogi, principal of HVP, said HVP/Nepal is not only a school but also a movement to promote the philosophy of "Love Thy Country-Nepal." Our forefathers were the first to give the message of a global family which is still relevant, he said. Added Prof. Shree Ram Upadhyaya, chief of the history department of Tribhuvan University, "Our education system should make our children proud of our values and tradition, not to forget them."