Budhanilkantha School
Budhanilkantha School is a public and boarding school in Nepal. Instructions start from the 4th grade through high school.
History
The school was established in 1972 on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley with the aim of creating the national school. Budhanilkantha would be for gifted children from all corners of Nepal, including those from poor economic backgrounds who would not otherwise receive a good education. More than one-third of the students receive some form of scholarship from the government or private British organizations to cover the cost of their education and stay in school. Lately, approximately one third of the students received scholarships which are provided by HMG/N as per the constitution of the school which envisages enrollment of students nationwide based on merit[1]. The school was opened as a joint collaboration by the Nepali and UK Governments. The British ran the administration of the school until 1995, after which the administration was handed over to Nepalis. The school was an all boys school until 1992, when it became co-educational.
Curriculum
The school educates students from grades 4 to 10, following the government curriculum. After completing grade 10, students can choose between studying for the University of Cambridge GCE A-levels or the Higher Secondary Education Board's +2 education programme. Most students go on to attend colleges and universities in Nepal, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The alumni association[2] of Budhanilkantha school is actively engaged in uplifting Nepalese society through various programmes.
Budhanilkantha School is located at the base of Shivapuri mountain, far north of the Kathmandu valley. The school is a fully residential and there are about 920 students in a school year. These students are sorted into 12 houses based on sex and grade. All the houses are named after randomly chosen himalayan peaks and have a colored flag and motto. Each house has a Head of House,
| Name | Motto | Category | Classes | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaulagiri | United We Succeed | Boys - Junior | 4, 5 and 6 | Orange |
| Makalu | Per Verancia Per Vincit | Boys - Junior | 4, 5 and 6 | Dark Blue |
| Annapurna | Service Through Leadership | Boys - Junior | 6, 7 and 8 | Green |
| Kanchenjunga | Wisdom, Integrity and Respect | Boys - Junior | 6, 7 and 8 | Sky Blue |
| Nilgiri | Working Better Together | Boys - Senior | 9 and 10 | Red |
| Pumori | In Societate Vita | Boys - Senior | 9 and 10 | Yellow |
| Hiunchuli | Aim High | Girls - Junior | 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 | Pink |
| Saipal | United We Stand | Girls - Junior | 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 | Maroon |
| Ratnachuli | Girls - Senior and Upper Senior | 9, 10, A-Level and 10+2 | Gray | |
| Choyu | Learning for Life | Girls - Senior and Upper Senior | 9, 10, A-Level, 10+2 | Black |
| Byasrishi | Quest for Enlightment | Boys - Upper Senior | A-Level and 10+2 | Dark Blue |
| Gaurishankar | Wise is the Man who looks Ahead | Boys - Upper Senior | A-Level, 10+2 | Gray |
Entry into the school is highly selective and students must pass an entrance exam to gain admission into the school. Normally, entrance examinations are taken for entry into class 4 and post SLC levels. This is intended to continue the high academic status of the school.
Status
The school is considered the National School of Nepal. The main aim of the school is to provide its students with quality education and various extra curricular activities. There are several clubs in the school which organise programs of various sorts throughout the year.
The current principal of the school is Mr. Narayan Prasad Sharma. Most of the teachers also live within the compounds of the school. Because of these circumstances many argue that Budhanilkantha School is an educational bubble greatly lacking in providing a thriving environment for social skill development. Others criticise it as a launching ground for both students and teachers alike to go abroad. Apart from this, the school is considered mostly without fault producing a number of highly successful graduates each year.