Oct 15, Kathmandu - Children in Mugu’s Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality are forced to make a hazardous daily journey to attend school, walking for around two hours each way because of the area’s rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure.

Students from Chimath and Papu villages attend Buddha Model Secondary School in neighboring Mangri. Their round trip takes about four hours and involves crossing several old, deteriorating suspension bridges and navigating steep, narrow trails.

The journey becomes even more dangerous during the monsoon. Children must cross swollen streams and floodwaters, while fearing possible landslides along the route. Girls, in particular, face greater hardship on the unsafe trail.

Local residents have urged authorities and other stakeholders to address the children’s difficulties and ensure they can study in a safe environment.