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    Country Name: 

    • conventional long form:  Kingdom of Nepal
    • conventional short form:  Nepal  

    Location:  Southern Asia , between China and India  

    Population:  27,070,666  

    Ethnic Groups:  Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu & Others  

    Languages:  Nepali (official-spoken by 90% of the population); There are approximately a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects.  Many in government and business also speak English.                    

    Economy:  Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world.  42% of its population lives below the poverty line.  Agriculture is of top priority.  It provides a livelihood for over 80% of the population.  Nepal's economy suffers due to its size, its technological limits, its remoteness, its civil strife, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.  

    Industries:  tourism, carpet, textile, (small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills), cigarette, cement and brick production  

    Agriculture:  rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, water, and buffalo meat

     

    Background

    In 1951 the old system of hereditary premiers was replaced with a cabinet system of government.  In 1990, a multiparty democracy was established within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.  Currently, the king and his appointed cabinet govern Nepal .

     

    Family Life

    • Nepal is a hierarchical society.  It has a similar caste system to India .  Family ties take precedence over individual.  Older siblings have authority over younger ones.
    • Women and girls suffer a universally low status making gender discrimination the most serious form of discrimination in Nepal .  Women are responsible for household chores and farming and do not socialize in public as much as men.
    • Children from lower castes, refugees, working children and disabled children are also discriminated against.  Social attitudes toward disabled people and their families are negative.  It is believed that the disability may be contagious, so interaction with these families is discouraged.
    • Boys are regarded highly.  In fact, land is inherited and divided equally among sons. 
    • Marriages are mostly arranged by the parents, sometimes with the consent of the marriage partners.
     

    School System

    The federal government of Nepal is responsible for the funding and management of local public schools.  Because Nepal is such a poor country, spending on education if relatively low.  The quality of education, in turn, suffers.  This under-funding of schools has meant that families are responsible for paying for their children's textbooks, school supplies, and a portion of school tuition fees.  Many families cannot afford these costs.  Children also are required to take on household work; therefore, many families refuse to pay these costs.  Enrollment and dropout rates are increasing.  26% of eligible students are enrolled in grade 6 to 8, while 16% of eligible students are enrolled in grades 9 to 10.  As a result of the poorness of this country, many Nepali families who wish to ensure their children's education are unable to do so.  

    Only 6 of Nepal 's 75 districts are designated compulsory education districts.  Only 37% of primary students complete education up to 13 years.  Social attitudes view education for girls as unnecessary.  In fact, 40% of Nepali girl children do not attend school.

     

    Classroom Applications

    • Due to social attitudes toward disabled people, children from Nepal may be hesitant or even afraid to associate with a child who has a disability.
    • Due to limited formal schooling, students may be shy and in need of attention and comfort.
Last Modified on January 4, 2013