Various local units in Rautahat have distributed bicycles to girl students to encourage them to attend school regularly. Most girls who benefited from this initiative come from impoverished families and are students at the local community schools.

Out of 18 local units in Rautahat, the programme—which comes under the ‘Beti Bachau-Beti Padhau’ campaign—was launched in Gadhimai, Ishnath, Gaur, Katahariya and Brindaban municipalities. More than 250 bicycles were distributed to girl students of three community schools at Durga Bhagawati Rural Municipality on Tuesday.

Arunj Sah, chief of the rural municipality, said bicycles were distributed to girl students of Saraswoti Secondary School in Pipara Balohiya; Sanskrit Secondary School in Matsari; and Aadarbhut School in Panchrukhi.

“Girls now feel motivated to attend classes regularly as they have access to a convenient mode of commute,” said Sah.

Sunita Sah, a student from Samanpur, said she used to walk for hours to reach school.

“Now, I have a bicycle to get to school on time. I am relieved as I won’t have to walk for hours anymore,” she said.

The Province 2 government implemented the ‘Beti Bachau-Beti Padhau’ campaign—an insurance scheme to encourage girl education—from January 15.