Textbooks Reach Jumla on Time Ahead of New Academic Session

Jumla: Textbooks have arrived in Jumla, a remote Himalayan district, ahead of the new academic session—marking a timely delivery not seen in previous years.

Across Nepal, the new academic year begins on Baisakh 1 (mid-April). Although Jumla used to start its school year early, from Falgun (mid-February) until two academic sessions ago, the district has since aligned with the national academic calendar.

This year, textbooks for the new session were delivered to Jumla on Chaitra 17 (early April)—before the academic year officially begins.

According to Suman Khadka, proprietor of Sandhya Stationery in the district headquarters Khalanga Bazaar, primary level textbooks (Grades 1–5) are available at Rs. 1,500 per set, while secondary level books (Grades 6–10) are priced at Rs. 2,000 per set.

“Eight schools have already collected textbooks, and more orders are coming in. But due to the ongoing teacher protests, sales are currently low. We expect demand to rise once schools reopen,” said Khadka.

In Jumla, textbooks for community schools are distributed by various vendors, including Sandhya Stationery and GP Stationery in Khalanga, as well as Darpan Stationery in Kanakasundari, Karnali Stationery in Sinja, and Deep Kailash Stationery in Tila.

The Education Development and Coordination Unit reports that Jumla has around 145 community schools, and the timely textbook delivery is expected to support a smoother start to the new school year—despite the challenges caused by the ongoing teachers’ movement.