SURKHET, Aug. 5 -- Sudip Sigdel of Solukhumbu has not completed higher secondary level of education yet. While he pays around 50,000 to the school for his 18-month course, he says that he has been able to earn more than that from his agricultural skills.

He is enrolled in the Junior Technical Assistant (JTA) course at the Janajyoti Secondary School of Surkhet.

"The school has given a piece of land for farming. Along with that, it has also provided a loan to start a business. What I earn now from it, suffices to pay the school's fees, accommodation, and food. After making these payments, I save some extra money," he said. "CTEVT courses like this are a boon for poor students like us."

Sajan Niruala also came from Solulkhumbu to Surkhet ...