03/05/2026
Partnership in Action
It was a privilege to meet with the honourable Surendra Kumar Udas, Mayor of Shadananda Municipality, Bhojpur today to discuss our shared vision for the future of education in the region.
There is something uniquely powerful about sitting down with a leader who doesn't just see education as a policy goal, but as a lifelong calling - a perspective he carries from his 24 years as a secondary school teacher and head teacher.
Our conversation centered on one word: Partnership.
In Nepal, this municipality was the birthplace of the Tripartite Agreement, a model involving the local government, UWS, and the community. This framework is now the standard for our operations across the country ( and in the other countries UWS exists in) ensuring that every school is built on a foundation of mutual investment and long-term commitment.
What struck me most was the Mayor’s insistence on the local government’s financial and strategic commitment and dedication to resourcing and supporting education. From co-funding teacher salaries to investing in school mobilisers, they are demonstrating that true sustainability happens when local leadership takes the reins.
In fact, they have even begun funding mobilisers for schools outside the UWS Nepal network because they’ve seen the tangible impact on student engagement and community mobilisation.
We spoke deeply about how education is the frontline of defense against broader social challenges. By keeping children in school and engaged, we aren't just teaching literacy; we are actively working to:
- Prevent early marriage and protect childhood.
- Address child protection issues and domestic violence through mothers groups.
- Combat the rising pressures of social media that impact youth mental health through development of specific awareness raising activities.
When local government, communities, and NGOs align their resources and their hearts, the potential for transformation is limitless. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your passion, your history as an educator, and your continued championship of the children of Nepal.
Together, we are doing more than building schools we are facilitating a safer and flourishing future for the children of the this community, today and tomorrow.
