Educational system

The school system in Nepal is structured into primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools and only primary school is compulsory.

Children start school in Nepal aged around 3-5 years old and the average time spent in school is only about 2-3 years. Most children never complete primary school.

If they are one of the few that go to secondary school, they have to take the national  School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam, which is also known in Nepal as the "Iron Gate" because those few lucky to get past it are offered many opportunites.