Dhorpatan, Baglung – Nishibhuji Janata Campus, a vital higher education institution providing education to students in the remote, rural areas of Western Baglung, is facing a severe financial crisis that threatens its very existence. Despite serving as the sole college in the region, the campus is struggling to cover its basic expenses due to a critical lack of government funding.
Established in 1991 in Khaptaribang, Dhorpatan Municipality-1, the campus relies almost entirely on student fees and community fundraising to stay afloat. Campus Chief Krishnakanta Acharya stated that operational costs run high, about Rs. 450,000 per month, but internal income is minimal.
"We have minimal internal resources, and the lack of sufficient budget from government bodies has created a big problem," Acharya explained.
Staffing and Funding Woes
The college currently serves 120 students across Education, Sociology, and Management programs. However, the reliance on student fees creates its own problem: "The students are forced to pay expensive fees because the college has no other financial source," a statement in the original report noted.
The college employs 24 faculty members (22 part-time and two full-time), and Chief Acharya noted that paying their salaries is a constant "significant challenge."
While the Dhorpatan Municipality has provided a grant of Rs. 960,000, the campus has received virtually no consistent support from federal, provincial, or other local government entities.
Appeal to Neighboring Municipalities
Campus Management Committee Chairman Shantaraj Sharma Neupane emphasized that the college's central location makes it essential for the four surrounding local bodies: Nisikhola, Tamankhola, Badigad, and Dhorpatan.
"If all four local bodies provided annual support, we could run the college in an organized manner," Neupane stated. He complained that only Dhorpatan Municipality has shown genuine interest, leaving the campus to face budget shortfalls that even prevent it from hiring sufficient, qualified teachers.
Despite the financial crunch, Nishibhuji Janata Campus does not face a student shortage, unlike some other colleges in the district. Its crucial role in bringing higher education to remote villages underscores the urgent need for stable financial intervention to ensure its survival.
