Surkhet, April 29 -- As a new academic year begins across Karnali Province, thousands of students are enrolling without certainty that they will receive textbooks on time. Delays in fund releases by several local units have stalled textbook procurement.

In Soru Rural Municipality of Mugu, which has 39 community schools and enrolled 5,535 students last year, a similar number is expected this session. But nearly Rs2 million allocated for textbooks has not been released, raising concerns that books will not reach students during the enrolment drive.

"Suppliers do not provide books on credit," said Govinda Shahi, a teacher at a basic school in Sorukot. "The rural municipality has not released the budget, making it difficult to ensure studen...