Kathmandu, Sept. 21 -- Jigisha Ranjit scored an A+ in her SEE and enrolled to study Humanities for 10+2. Normally, these two phrases would be connected with a 'but', for such a score usually accompanies words like 'science' and 'management'.

Yet few like Ranjit are adamant enough to defy the conventional path. "I am more interested in understanding society and contributing to it instead of just going after more money," Ranjit, who wishes to be a journalist, says.

Students like Ranjit belong to a rare breed whose numbers are declining so rapidly that the extinction of humanities from high schools feels ever more likely.

But what is causing this slow death?

Experts suggest that the answer lies in how Nepal defines educational success: a...