East Point Academy - Community Welfare Initiatives

Project 1

East Point Academy

"A Small Initiative For Bigger And Better"

East Point Academy is a school being operated under a public trust in Helambu Rural Municipality. The total number of students is approximately 500, out of which 480 students attain school regularly. The school was originally established as a private limited company in 2006 with 35 staffs including faculties. Classes ranging from Nursery to Grade Nine are being taught. There are altogether 25 staffs, where the number of teachers is 21.

The school is socio-economically inclusive and consists of students from different socio-economic class, where majority of the students are from indigenous tribe ‘Tamang’. Approximately 40% of the students are female.

Legal Status

The school is registered and operated under public Trust and has obtained operating license from District Education Office, Sindhupalchowk and Regional Educational Directorate, Central. The school is currently governed by 5 promoters.

Welfare Policies and Facilities

The school is providing free scholarship to around 100 students. While doing so the school provides full scholarship to one of the three children from the same family. As per the rule set by Government of Nepal, the school is obliged to provide 15% scholarship. In some stances, the Rural Municipality recommends to provide scholarship to certain students belonging from poor economic background. Upon the financial status check by the school, the school grants scholarship if it deems appropriate. The school has been providing residential facilities to the faculties belonging from outside district. The tuition fee of the lowest class is approximately NPR 1000 (USD 9) whereas the highest tuition fee of highest class is NPR 1500 (USD 14). Providing books and supplies, dress, tuition fee waiver, exam fee waiver are the common forms of scholarship being provided by the school.

Challenges

There is lack of adequate space & infrastructure required for the school. The school lacks some basic requirements like science lab and proper library. There is lack of experienced teachers and there is a tendency in teachers to move towards better opportunity after gaining experience. Financial sustainability is always a challenge. The major expenses are paying off bills for food, scholarship, direct and indirect administrative expenses, salaries and incentives.