Until 2028, there was only one Balmandir school in operation in the Damauli Bazaar area. In it, children were taught to recognize letters. For primary level education, they had to cross the Buldi River to go to Jaldevi Primary and Nirmal Secondary Schools in Bhadgaon. Satyawati School was opened to end the compulsion for young children to cross the river.

According to Tara Prasad Shrestha, the founding mayor of Byas Municipality, Satyawati Primary School was established in Byas-2 Damauli in 2029 as a branch of Jaldevi Primary School in Byas-1 Bhadgaun due to the activities of the locals.

The first principal of the school was Shri Bahadur Giri. ‘There was no bridge on the Buldi River. During the rainy season, when the water flow in the river was high, people used to be swept away. That is why it was decided to open the school in the Damauli area,’ Shrestha said. 

On 8 Poush 2034, Satyawati Primary School received formal approval. ‘The school was started by collecting donations from the residents of Damauli,’ Shrestha recalls.  Teachers would go door to door and request students to enroll.

Now that the school has started teaching completely in English, the number of students has increased dramatically, says Indra Prasad Poudel, the principal of the school. ‘The school won the award by securing first place in the Western Development Region based on SLC results in 2057, 2066, 2067 and 2070,’ he said.

Satyawati has been operating the Faculty of Education and Management in grades 11 and 12 after obtaining affiliation from the Higher Secondary Education Council in 2064. Since 2068, computer engineering has been taught in the science group and from 2070 in the technical and vocational stream from grades 9-12.

Poudel informed that Satyawati Model School was selected for development and operation as per the decision taken by the Ministry of Education on 25 Ashad 2074. According to him, the school has received the International School Award (ISA) and ICT Award from the British Council for 2020-2023.

Currently, 2,644 students, including 1,352 girls and 1,292 boys, are studying. An entrance exam is required for admission at the beginning of each academic session. There are 36 permanent teachers. There are 18 temporary, relief, grant teachers and staff. Similarly, there are 42 teachers and staff working in the school resource. 

According to the school, while the average GPA for class 8 was 3.10 in 2081, Surbhi Joshi of Satyawati scored 4 GPA. In class 12 in 2082, Bipin Shrestha and Christina Pantha scored 3.96 GPA. Principal Poudel says, ‘This result for class 12 is the best in Nepal.’ School Management Committee Chairman Ramesh Giri says that the school has attracted students due to the excellent results it has provided in the past and the quality of education it has provided. 

Management Committee Chairman Giri said that priority has been given to quality education after discussing with students, parents and teachers. ‘Students who have passed out of this school have reached good places. They have become doctors, engineers, bankers and teachers,’ he said, ‘Even now, 7 students are pursuing higher education as doctors and engineers on full scholarships.’ The school has various scholarship funds worth about Rs. 1.6 million. 

The school has 4 ropanis and 14 aanas of land in its name and an additional 14 ropanis in its possession, but it does not have its own playground. There are 72 rooms in four buildings, of which 44 are classrooms. Students complain that the space is cramped due to the large number of students. Sonika Gajmer, a student studying in class 7, says that it would be even better if a playground was arranged.

‘The teachers also support and encourage us in our studies. But for extracurricular activities, we have to go to the municipal playground. It would have been easier for us if there was a playground in our school premises.’

Ashika Shrestha of Vyas-4, who is studying in class 11, said that she was able to get quality education in her own yard. ‘I also passed SEE from this school, and am currently studying in class 11 in the science faculty,’ she said. ‘It would not have been easy if I had to go outside the district to study.’

Dr. Anil Giri, the head of Bandipur Hospital, who is also an alumnus of the school, says that Satyawati Secondary School has become a place where the general public can easily obtain higher education. Dr. Giri of Vyas-5 Patan had completed his secondary education from this school and studied MBBS. He says that he is happy to come and serve in his own district now. 

According to Dr. Giri, about 15 MBBS doctors who studied at Satyawati are in service. ‘Three weeks ago, on the school’s golden jubilee, we organized a camp for health check-ups from alumni to current students. The medical team, including 8 doctors, was the product of Satyawati,’ he said. ‘The students of Satyawati School are an example that students studying in community schools can also do well if they work hard.’ 

Chandra Kayastha of Vyas-3 Damauli says that Satyawati School is not just an educational history but a story of collective consciousness, public participation and continuous struggle. He said, ‘Now the challenge is not just numbers, but to focus on quality, innovation and future competitiveness. Satyawati should continue to shine as a bright lamp of community education to preserve the past and build the future.’