Kathmandu, March 31

Nepal Student Union cadres today vandalised three Pokhara University affiliated colleges after 391 students who were admitted illegally were barred from taking the first semester examination.

Agitating students vandalised Kathmandu based Apex, SAIM and Rajdhani colleges and demanded action against colleges that admitted students violating the rule. Students also spray-painted ‘mafia’ on walls of colleges.

As many as 12 students were arrested when they were heading towards ACE college. They were detained at Nepal Police Club and released later.

Around 42 PU affiliated colleges had admitted students defying the decision of Academic Council of the University. The Academic Council in June 2018 had decided to bar students of Grade XII scoring less than ‘C’ grade to enrol in the university and its affiliated colleges. The rule was enforced for management and humanities stream.

PU affiliated colleges charging Rs 800,000 per student for bachelor’s programme, however, held the entrance examination on their own and admitted students. Students, who scored less than ‘C’ grade said the colleges did not inform them about the university rule. PU Registrar Govindra Sharma Poudel said the university came to know of the private colleges’ act after they submitted registration details of students some two months ago.

However, the university didn’t take any action against the colleges. Despite the confusion, the university was scheduled to hold first semester examination on March 27.

But, the private colleges affiliated to the university decided not to conduct the examinations in their colleges if all students were not allowed to take the exams. As a result, 30,000 first semester students of the bachelor’s programme have been affected.

Organisation of Purbanchal University Educational Institute of Nepal, an umbrella organisation of all PU affiliated colleges, have demanded that all 391 students be allowed to take the examination. OPEN Chair Ram Chandra Acharya said, “The university is trying to impose the rule arbitrarily.”