Over 50 Bajhang schools shut as students head to highlands for yarsagumba harvest

While the government runs a nationwide school enrolment drive, dozens of schools in Bajhang have shut to allow communities to collect yarsagumba (caterpillar fungus). Most schools will remain closed until mid-June as nearly all students have moved to high-altitude pastures. All schools in Surma and Saipal rural municipalities, as well as those in Talkot, Masta and Kedarsyu rural municipalities, and the northern parts of Bungal and Jayaprithvi municipalities, have suspended classes until June 14. Locals said more than 50 schools are affected. Enrolment for the new academic session will begin on June 15. As yarsagumba is the main source of income in the region, residents aged seven and above who can make the journey have left for the highlands. With classrooms empty, many teachers have also headed to the alpine meadows, locally known as patans. “We plan to leave for the highlands within a couple of days,” said Jiban Bohara, a teacher at Kanda Secondary School in Saipal. “With schools closed, it makes more sense to use this time to earn rather than remain idle.” He said several teachers whose homes are outside the area have also joined their students in the pastures. Gyan Bahadur Bohara, head of the education and sports division of Saipal Rural Municipality, said enrolment will begin on June 15 as students have travelled with their families. Surma Rural Municipality follows a similar schedule. Schools in this belt close for six to eight weeks each year during the harvest sea