Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) Thigaray, Tehsil Khudukhel, District Buner was once a school on the verge of becoming non-functional. With only a dozen enrolled children, the school was unable to serve its purpose effectively, and the children of the village were at serious risk of being deprived of their basic right to education.
A remarkable transformation began on 1 September 2026, the date from which the school, outsourced to QAFELA by the Elementary & Secondary Education Foundation (ESEF), was handed over to QAFELA for management and operation.

Mobilization Before Enrollment
Immediately after taking over the school, the QAFELA team in Buner launched an aggressive community mobilization and enrollment campaign. The team visited households, engaged parents and community members, identified out-of-school children, and encouraged families to send their children to the revitalized school.
At the same time, QAFELA began working on the physical transformation of the school. Repair, renovation and beautification work was undertaken to create a clean, attractive and child-friendly learning environment in the village. The school building, walls, boundary wall and main gate were freshly painted, giving the once-neglected school a completely new appearance.
Implemented its “One Class, One Teacher” policy, QAFELA hired five teachers and a principal
to ensure effective teaching in and management of the school from the very beginning. Recruiting local teachers not only strengthened teaching capacity but also helped build trust between the school and the community.

The impact was immediate.
Enrollment Rises from 5 to 74.
On the very first day of reopening after the summer vacation, enrollment increased dramatically—from just 5 students to 74 students.
This extraordinary increase demonstrated the power of community mobilization, local ownership and a renewed school environment. Parents who had previously lost confidence in the school began sending their children back, while many children who had been out of school were brought into the education system.
A School That Became a Playground for the Village
QAFELA’s vision went beyond classrooms and textbooks. The school lawn was repaired and transformed into a recreational park for children. Various sports and recreational items were installed, providing children with opportunities for physical activity, healthy entertainment and social interaction.
The school has now become a place where boys and girls of the village come to play and enjoy themselves, often remaining there until evening. What was once an almost deserted school has become a lively space filled with children, activity and joy.
A New Beginning for Thigaray
Today, GGPS Thigaray stands as a visible example of what can happen when government support, professional school management and community participation come together.
From a school with only five children to a vibrant institution with 74 students on its very first reopening day, the transformation is remarkable. Its freshly renovated building, attractive surroundings, dedicated local teachers, recreational facilities and growing community engagement have given the school a new identity.
GGPS Thigaray is no longer merely a school. It is now a hub of learning, a center of recreation and play, and a symbol of renewed hope for the children of Thigaray.
The story of Thigaray demonstrates that when a community is mobilized and children are given a welcoming place to learn, the desire for education is already there—it only needs an opportunity to flourish.