Kathmandu, May 19:

A host of speakers in an interaction programme today urged all concerned to find a solution to the ongoing strike in the schools.

Speaking at the programme organised by the All Nepal Teachers’ Association and All Nepal National Independent Students Union (Revolutionary), Umesh Shrestha, president of the Private Boarding Schools Organisation Nepal (PABSON), said: “We should sort out our grievances to reach a consensus through dialogue. Teachers and the management should sit for talks and discuss.”

He said the government should come up with a concrete decision on the private schools. He also called the government to nationalise the private schools if it thinks they are not necessary at all.

Educationist Dr Mana Prasad Wagle said that the provision of registering schools under an individual’s name should be eliminated.

Laba Prasad Tripathi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Education and Sports, said it was not possible for the government to provide free education with only 16 per cent of the total national budget allocated for education sector. He pointed out the need to make reforms in education policy.