Foundation Stone Laid for New School Building at Shree Panchayat Secondary School in Morang

The foundation stone for the construction of a new building for Shree Panchayat Secondary School in Sundarharaicha Municipality, Morang, was laid today in a joint ceremony attended by Panchakarna Rai, Hon’ble Minister for Social Development of Koshi Province; Kedar Prasad Guragain, Mayor of Sundarharaicha Municipality; and Garima Nautiyal, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

The event was graced by political representatives, government officials, school staff, students, parents, and members of the local community, marking a significant milestone in the development of the region’s educational infrastructure.

The new school building is being constructed with the financial assistance of the Government of India under the Nepal-India Development Cooperation initiative. The project, with a total estimated cost of NPR 28.10 million, is classified as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) and is being implemented through the local municipality.

The planned infrastructure includes a three-storey school building along with associated facilities, aimed at improving the learning environment for the school’s 750 students, 60 percent of whom are girls. Established in 1965, Shree Panchayat Secondary School offers education from Nursery to Grade 12 and plays a vital role in the local community’s access to quality education.

Speaking at the event, Minister Rai, Mayor Guragain, and other community stakeholders expressed gratitude for India’s continued developmental support. They acknowledged that the new infrastructure will significantly enhance the educational opportunities available to students and contribute to the broader development of the education sector in the region.

Since 2003, the Government of India has undertaken more than 573 HICDPs across Nepal, with 495 projects already completed. In Koshi Province alone, 91 such projects have been implemented, including 16 in Morang District. India has also donated 1,009 ambulances and 300 school buses across Nepal—of which Koshi Province has received 146 ambulances and 48 school buses, including 21 ambulances and 15 buses provided specifically in Morang.

The implementation of these community-focused projects underscores the strong and multi-dimensional partnership between India and Nepal. It also reflects India’s continued commitment to supporting Nepal’s development priorities through sustainable infrastructure initiatives in key sectors.