Kathmandu, September 11 — The Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal (HISSAN) has contributed Rs 30 million (Rs 3 crore) to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River.

HISSAN handed over the contribution on Friday at Singha Durbar through Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. The handover ceremony was attended by HISSAN President Yuvraj Sharma, Senior Vice-President Prof. Dr. Swagat Shrestha, Vice President Rishi Tiwari, Vice President Birendra Jayana, General Secretary Ram Hari Silwal, Secretary Bhawani Prasad Paudel, Treasurer Shiva Prasad Adhikari, HISSAN Kathmandu District President Gopi Parajuli, and other officials and representatives of the association.

The Bhotekoshi floods have caused significant loss of life and property, affecting students, parents and educational institutions. School buildings, educational materials and other infrastructure have also suffered damage from floods and landslides.

HISSAN said the financial assistance was provided to support the government’s response while helping affected families and ensuring that students whose education has been disrupted by the disaster can continue their studies.

The association stressed that the private sector has a responsibility to stand with the state and communities during times of disaster and national crisis. Its contribution, HISSAN said, reflects the private education sector’s commitment to social responsibility and its willingness to support the government’s rescue, relief and recovery efforts.

HISSAN officials also emphasized that private schools and higher education institutions should not be viewed solely as profit-oriented organizations. As education is directly connected with society and community development, educational institutions also have a service-oriented role and a responsibility to contribute when communities face emergencies and humanitarian crises.

Education of Flood-Affected Students a Major Concern

HISSAN said the situation of students affected by the Bhotekoshi floods remains a key concern. The disaster has disrupted the education of many students, while some families have also suffered severe financial hardship.

The association stressed the need for cooperation among the government, private sector and educational institutions to provide immediate relief while ensuring that affected students are able to resume and continue their education.

The Rs 30 million contribution is expected to support search and rescue operations as well as relief, rehabilitation and recovery programmes for citizens and students in flood-affected areas.

HISSAN further emphasized that the education sector’s responsibility during disasters should extend beyond providing immediate relief. Recovery efforts should also focus on restoring students’ education, reopening affected schools, rebuilding educational infrastructure and creating a safe environment in which teaching and learning can resume.

Various organizations representing private and residential schools have also extended assistance for relief and rehabilitation following the Bhotekoshi floods. Against this backdrop, HISSAN’s Rs 30 million contribution represents a significant participation by Nepal’s private education sector in the national disaster-response effort.

The association said the initiative sends a strong message that educational institutions have a broader responsibility to society and can play an important role in supporting communities, protecting students and contributing to recovery during times of crisis.