By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Oct. 24

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel has said that Nepal is in need of better physical infrastructure for community schools and training for teachers for improving the quality of education.

Minister Pokhrel expressed the view while addressing a programme organised to mark the 10th anniversary of the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation (UHGHF) in the capital Wednesday evening. 

Founded by well-known Korean alpinist Captain Um Hong Gil, the social organisation has already built earthquake-resistant buildings with all the modern teaching-learning facilities for 15 community schools located in 12 different districts. Two more schools are under construction in  Kathmandu district.

Lauding UHGHF for constructing such excellent school infrastructures, Minister Pokharel urged it to expand its school construction campaign to all the seven States in Nepal.

The schools built by the organisation have become a model. As the schools have been providing quality education, they have been able to attract more students because of good physical infrastructure and training for teachers," he observed.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Nepal Park Young-sik appreciated Captain Um on the 10^th anniversary of his great social service and being appointed as Nepal's Goodwill Ambassador for Visit Nepal Year 2020.

Envoy Park also praised Captain Um for his dedicated efforts to build schools for the needy Nepali children.

"With the Rok and Nepal marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations after some years, the ties will get a new direction because of Captain Um’s contribution," he added.

Former Education Minister Dr. Ganga Lal Tuladhar said that the 'human schools' built by UHGHF would show the way to other community schools.

Chairman of UHGHF Lee Jae Hoo said that his team was very happy to support the needy children in Nepal.

Similarly, Captain Um said that his dream of building schools had come true with the support from the Korean donors. He announced that his organisation would continue to extend support to the 'human schools' for upgrading their quality of education.

At the get-together, Human School Alumni Association was also formed.

Meanwhile, Minister Pokharel distributed Himalaya Scholarships to 31 Sherpa children who lost their fathers while climbing mountains.

UHGHF provides scholarships to more than three dozen children. He also presented Rs. 100,000 each to three Human School Alumni to support them to pursue their Bachelor's level. Prerana Chaudhari from Bardiya district is another alumnus to receive full scholarship. She is studying B. Sc. Nursing at Manamohan Institute of Health Science.    

The organisation also awarded three among its 15 human schools for their better management, quality education, etc. Sarvodaya S. School in Myagdi district emerged as first and received Rs. 300,000 while Mayam S. School in Taplegung district became second and got Rs. 200,000 and Jana Kalyan S. School in Rolpa district stood out third and received Rs. 100,000.

Earlier, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen Thama Maya Thapa, Korean donors and officials of the school management committee of Prithvi Narayan Secondary School laid the foundation stone for new physical infrastructure. The school is located at Tarkeshwar Municipality-5 of Kathmandu district.