Nepal protest forces 3.2 mn students to skip classes

Millions of students in the Tera districts of southern Nepal bordering India, have been deprived of education for the last three weeks owing to the political unrest over the country’s proposed new Constitution.

Nearly 3.2 million students, accounting for over 40 per cent of the total student population from pre-primary to higher secondary level, have been compelled to stay home due to the ongoing protests over the new Constitution which has claimed the lives of over 20 people, including policemen.

Though over two dozen parties, including those leading the protests, have agreed to recognise schools as <g data-gr-id="22">zone</g> of peace, they have not honoured the deal. Consequently, over 20,000 schools and colleges have remained closed with students often being at the forefront of the protests.

Following reports that students comprised a significant mass in the protest, the National Human Rights Commission has asked the concerned parties to create a safe environment for students to return to their classes.

Together with the 26-day closure in the aftermath of the massive earthquakes, the schools have already lost about 50 days of the total 220 academic days of the calendar year. Violent protests ensued in various districts of Western Nepal and Terai districts after four parties agreed on six provinces model on August 8.

While protests in most of the Hill districts have largely subsided after the parties addressed their concerns with the seven-province model, the protests continued unabated in Terai. Khagendra Nepal, <g data-gr-id="21">spokesperson</g> at the Department of Education (DoE), said as it is purely a political issue they are not in a position to intervene in running the schools.