Indian children cross border to attend schools in Nepal

Children from Indian villages are crossing into Nepal daily to access primary and secondary education in border districts like Jhapa, Bardiya, and Rautahat.

Families from regions such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh travel to these schools because they find the local educational infrastructure in India lacking, particularly regarding English-medium instruction and technical teaching. In districts like Jhapa and Bardiya, students from villages such as Dalle and Balai travel by rickshaw, bicycle, or on foot to join Nepali classmates.

School leaders in these areas report that the children are dedicated to their studies despite the risks of crossing the border. Some schools even provide transport services to Indian villages to facilitate these daily commutes. In the city of Birgunj, the trend extends to higher grade levels.

Schools in Birgunj offer the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, allowing Indian students from Raxaul to study under their home country's system while benefiting from the higher academic standards and facilities available in Nepal. Local officials and community members describe this movement as a reflection of long-standing social and cultural ties between the two countries.

While some students eventually return to India for higher education in cities like Lucknow, many others continue their schooling in Nepal to access better facilities, such as the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms.