Village Schools along the trail

Children, such as my guide's son, often walk as much as two hours each way–everyday–to attend school in a distant village. The government provides schools for children up to 6th grade; after that, if parents can't afford to send their children to private schools, their children carry loads, tend to farms or work in tea houses. Students must go to boarding school in Kathmandu if they want to attend high school. It is expensive, so few children have the opportunity. I talked to teachers about the challenges they face in preparing their students for a future that requires English and an education past the 6th grade.