Gandaki Boarding School


Gandaki Boarding School,, formerly known as Nepal Adarsha Bidyashram, is a model boarding school of Nepal, established on 11 June 1966 in the city of Pokhara, 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. It is the first and the only regional school of the country. It was established as a result of the initiation of three groups - The United Mission to Nepal, The Shining Hospital, and the local community.

History

Establishment

It was established in 1966 on the banks of Seti River in Lamachaur, Pokhara. Initially the facilities were primitive with all the thatched-roofed buildings mud and bamboo. There were 45 boarding students, who were catered for by five teaching staff. It was designated as a co-educational regional school in 1985 with English as the medium of instruction in an agreement between Nepal government and the United Mission to Nepal.
Until 1991, courses were available for Grade 4 to Grade 10. Then it started offering 10+2 system under the Higher Secondary Education Board. GBS is the first of few schools to introduce 10+2 in Nepal. Prior to the commencement of 10+2 education; students were prepared for O level study for a number of years.
In 1999, a new college was started in GBS. Gandaki College of Engineering and Sciences, is affiliated to Pokhara University and offers Bachelor of Engineering courses in Software Engineering.
From 2010, it offers GCE A-Level Course under the Cambridge University, Cambridge, England.

Landmarks

GBS has 25% of students studying on a scholarship basis. The annual budget is around 10 million rupees, which is met from sponsoring agencies and individual donors. The major sponsoring donor agencies include FELM Finland, BMS UK, P.C of Ireland and some donors from USA and Australia. The Government of Nepal provides 1 million rupees annually through the Ministry of Education to support the scholarship program. A full scholarship costs 1400 USD per year. A partial scholarship is also awarded.
Scholarships are awarded to economically disadvantaged but intelligent students. The number of students studying on scholarship is 180. They represent various ethnic groups and are from various districts of the country. Every year, during January/February scholarship entrance exams are conducted in eight centers across the Western Region of Nepal to select deserving students. Home visits are made to verify information and confirm the scholarship.
The scholarship program has been a part of GBS and GCES for many years. Through the program, the lives of children from poor and disadvantaged families have been transformed.

Dr P.V Chandy GBS Scholarship Trust

Although the scholarship programme is continuing with the financial support of donor agencies, individual donors and the government of Nepal, it seemed imperative to open a trust in order to provide a strong financial security to the scholarship programme even after the UMN withdraws its support to the school. For this reason, Dr. P. V Chandy GBS Trust was established at the initiation of UMN expatriate Principal, Dr. P. V Chandy with the approval of the GBS Management committee and the United Mission to Nepal. The trust has been registered with the Government of Nepal, District Administration office, Kaski.
Dr. P. V Chandy is the chief patron of this trust, and a committee consisting of 10 members has been formed under the chairperson of EX. Rt Hon. Member of the Raj Parisad Standing Committee, Mr. Ganesh Bahdur Gurung. 48.5 million rupees has been raised and deposited at fixed accounts. Its mission is to raise the fund up to 10 million rupees so that the scholarship programme can continue to survive from the interest of the trust even after the withdrawal of the UMN's involvement.

Facilities and activities

Health Center

The health center takes care of minor illnesses and first aid services. Serious cases are referred to the bigger hospitals of Pokhara. A CMA counselor and a nurse remain in charge of the health center and of the health education classes.

Science Laboratories

The laboratories are for the science courses throughout classes 4 to 12. Each class have science practical classes in the science labs. In addition to the science teachers, the science department has three lab assistants who maintain the science apparatus and science facilities.

Hostels

There are ten hostels in GBS; seven for boys and three for girls. The hostels are named after the highest mountains of Nepal.

Sports facilities

The library was established in B.S. 2025. Set up in a simple building with limited resources, it now stands as one of the most well-equipped libraries in the western region and Nepal as well. It has more than 25,000 books including fiction, non-fiction, and reference. The library subscribes to most of the notable newspapers and magazines published in Nepal, Audio Visual and open system library.
Library studies form a part of the school curriculum, in the course of which all students learn the positive use and exploitation of the library and its materials. Library projects are assessed as a component of the termly examination marks from grades 4 to 6.
Library facilities and services:
The Catering Department serves food for all the boarder students.

Timetable:
Students are divided into four houses:
The four houses compete in annual activities.
Other activities