Myagdi, Sept. 14 -- Whenever a 'lahure' returns from foreign employment or tourists pass through the village of Mudi in Myagdi, they are welcomed with a madal performance, organised by the local Aama Samuha (Mothers' group). During the performance, there is a call for donations from the guests, with these funds then used to hire teachers for the local public schools.

Such shows are staged throughout the year and locals have managed to generate enough money to hire additional teachers for their understaffed schools.

Community schools in Myagdi, like most others in Nepal's hilly districts, are characterised by inadequate funding, insufficient and improper staffing, dilapidated facilities, and above all, a lack of teachers. This state of a...