JHAPA, MARCH 31

A complaint has been filed against schools in Birtamod, of Jhapa, accusing them of putting schoolchildren's health at risk by defying the government order closing schools considering the hazardous level of air pollution across the country.

The government had declared closure of schools for four days effective from yesterday citing the smog that has dangerously blanketed the entire country, of late.

Khemraj Oli, on behalf of the guardians, and Ichharam Niraula, on behalf of the teaching staff, have filed a complaint with the Education Development Coordination Unit, Jhapa, accusing Birtamod Education Committee, PABSON, N-PABSON and the school management committees concerned, of flouting the government diktat and putting children's health at risk. They have also sought action against schools.

Receiving the complaint, Education Coordination Officer Raj Kumar BK argued that the local government must implement the decisions of the federal government and expressed confidence that local governments would be serious about implementing the policies, rules and directions issued from the centre.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 1, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.