A recent national report has revealed that nearly 25 percent of Nepali adolescents aged between 15 and 19 are currently out of school, raising serious concerns about access to education and student retention across the country.
The findings highlight that a significant number of teenagers drop out before completing secondary education due to factors such as poverty, early marriage, child labour, migration, and limited access to schools, especially in rural and marginalized communities. The problem is more pronounced among girls, Dalits, and youths from low-income households.
Education experts warn that being out of school at this critical age increases the risk of unemployment, low income, and social exclusion later in life. They stress that adolescents who fail to complete secondary education often lack the skills needed for decent employment in an increasingly competitive job market.
The report urges the government to strengthen targeted scholarship programs, flexible learning options, vocational education, and community-based support systems to bring out-of-school teens back into education. It also calls for better coordination between federal, provincial, and local governments to address regional disparities.
Despite progress in primary school enrollment over the years, the data suggests that retaining students in secondary education remains a major challenge for Nepal’s education system. Policymakers and education stakeholders have emphasized the need for urgent reforms to ensure that no young person is left behind.