Kathmandu, May 29 -- The government has allocated Rs211.17 billion to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, as announced by Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel while presenting the national budget to the joint session of Parliament on Wednesday.

The budget includes a notable Rs10.19 billion for the school midday meal programme aimed at improving nutrition and school attendance, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The minister said the government would also launch an incentive programme to encourage the consolidation of schools, particularly where resources are spread thin. Each district will have one model school receiving Rs2.5 million in grant support as part of this initiative.

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