Mahakali polytechnic school emerges as a hope for students from underprivileged communities

Mahendranagar: Despite a strong interest in technical education and limited financial means, Kamal Khadka of Humla Tanjakot Rural Municipality-1 came to Mahendranagar in Kanchanpur to pursue technical studies.

After completing his SEE from a remote settlement in Humla, Khadka is currently in the second year of the three-year Diploma in Pharmacy program at Mahakali Polytechnic School in Mahendranagar. He resides in Aithpur, Bhimdatta Municipality-6, where he continues his studies while living away from home.

“My father works as a wage laborer in the village to barely manage my education expenses, and it is difficult to support the family through agriculture,” Khadka said in an interview with RSS personnel. “It has been a year since my father fell from a cliff and became ill, and he has not been able to send money for my studies from the mountains. The fees are still unpaid.”

Although students from Humla and Karnali often go to Surkhet, Nepalgunj, and Kathmandu for higher education, Khadka said he chose Mahendranagar because technical education here is comparatively more affordable.

Mahakali Polytechnic Institute has been operating since 2078 BS in partnership with Bhimdatta Municipality and CTEVT. According to Khadka, the fees for the three-year diploma courses here are nearly 50 percent cheaper than private colleges, making it a preferred choice for low-income students.

Khadka, who reached Mahendranagar after completing SEE amid difficult living conditions in Humla, said there is still no bus service to his village. He noted that currently two students from Humla are studying at the institute due to its affordability and quality education. “After completing my studies, I plan to continue further education and find employment,” he said.

Similarly, Anita Rokaya of Gaumul Rural Municipality-1 in Bajura is studying lab technology at the institute. She said she came to Mahendranagar because of high fees in her area and is currently staying in Majhagaun, Mahendranagar with her brother.

“There is no technical education college affiliated with CTEVT in Bajura,” she said. “I am pursuing technical education here with the money my father earns working in India.”

Another student, Nawaraj Dhami of Bunghal Municipality-1 in Bajura, is studying second-year Pharmacy. He said he joined the institution after hearing about its strong academic results. “Many of the graduates from this school are now employed,” he said, adding that he chose technical education as it is more useful for his future.

According to Pramal Saud, director of Mahakali Polytechnic School, a total of 450 students are currently studying in four disciplines: Proficiency Certificate Level Three-Year HA, Diploma in Pharmacy, Ophthalmology, and Lab Technician programs.

“Most students here come from low-income families across Karnali and Far-Western regions,” he said. “Many parents are even selling milk or working as laborers to educate their children.”

Established in collaboration with Bhimdatta Municipality and CTEVT, the school has twice been recognized as a model technical institution in the Far West within a short period. Saud said the institution received Rs 3 million in support from the Provincial Social Development Ministry after being declared a model school twice, and continues to provide education at fees 33 percent lower than CTEVT standards.

He also informed that Bhimdatta Municipality has begun preparations to provide scholarships to students from next year. The school has entered into agreements with Kohalpur Medical College, Geta Eye Hospital, and Mahakali Provincial Hospital for practical training, with students actively participating in field studies.

As student numbers continue to rise, the institution is also planning to introduce nursing and dental science programs in the future. Nearly 80 percent of the students are female. Out of 65 graduates from the first batch, eight to nine are currently working in government service while the rest are employed in private institutions.

Mahakali Polytechnic School has emerged as a successful municipal-level technical education institution.