Since 1961 the Himalayan Trust has built over 25 schools and assisted many more within the Solu Khumbu District. These schools were initially staffed and funded through the Trust until 1972 when the government took over the administration of all schools and education in the area.  The Trust has a formal agreement with the Nepalese Government to continue to provide teaching resources and support to schools within the Solu Khumbu Region.

In 1997 the Solu Khumbu Teacher Training Programme was established to support the 65 schools closest to Mount Everest.

PRIMARY TRAINING  For the first three years this focused on primary education, classes 1-5.  Teachers come to three weeks winter training each year and are provided in school support and resources throughout the year.  It was accredited by the Nepal Government in 1999. All 200 teachers in these schools are involved. The funding for this programme is provided by the Grand Circle Foundation (USA), UNICEF (Nepal) and the Swiss Foundation.  This funding ceases in September 2003, but alternative funding is being sought.  The changes within the classrooms as a result of this programme have been very significant.

SECONDARY TRAINING  In 2000, lower secondary training began in fourteen secondary schools closest to Mt Everest.  This programmes follows a similar format as for the primary schools and involves over 120 teachers.  The Sir Edmund Hillary Trust UK assisted by the UK National Lotteries have provided the funding for this three year programme.

Both training schemes are based at a special teacher training campus built alongside the Solu Khumbu Multi- Campus in Salleri, which was established in 1993.

For More Information Contact:
Project Co-Ordinator : Jim Strang