Beni Municipality in Myagdi district has rolled out an ambitious skill-based education program across all 16 of its secondary schools. Under the theme “We Can, We Do”, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical skills, helping students become more self-reliant and job-ready.
For the academic year 2081/82 B.S., each school will receive NPR 100,000 to run the training programs, totaling NPR 1.6 million in municipal funding. According to Education Officer Kamal Dhakal, 12 schools have already signed agreements to implement the training, while the remaining four are expected to join soon.
The training modules are designed based on student interests and community needs. Courses being offered include mushroom farming, haircutting, plumbing, house wiring, bamboo crafting, beauty training, painting, and basic surveying. Classes are scheduled flexibly so students can participate outside regular school hours. Around 1,000 students are expected to benefit from the program this year.
Mayor Surat KC emphasized that the goal is to develop a skilled workforce and promote entrepreneurship at the local level. He noted that the municipality expanded the program following the success of its pilot in 10 schools during the 2079/80 academic year.
One standout example is Prakash Secondary School, where students from grades 7 to 10 have been learning haircutting. Headmaster Lekh Bahadur Hamal shared that after just two weeks of daily two-hour sessions, many students became confident in their skills. Due to growing interest, the school plans to extend the training to grade 11 and 12 students as well.
Through this initiative, Beni Municipality hopes to empower its youth with practical abilities that not only support personal growth but also contribute to the local economy.
