Kathmandu, April 16:

The Supreme Court today directed the government authorities to ensure right to education of hearing-impaired people from the upcoming academic session throughout the country.

A division bench of justices Anup Raj Sharma and Kalyan Shrestha issued the order to ensure the rights of the hearing-impaired people by adopting sign language and appointing interpreters in schools to provide education to them.

The apex court verdict came in response to a joint Public Interest Litigation filed by the Pro-Public and two hearing-impaired persons — Ram Prasad Adhikary and Arun Silwal.

The bench directed the authorities — the Office of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and the Ministry of Education and Sports — to report the apex court in every six month about the progress on ensuring the right to education of hearing-impaired people.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today issued directives to the government authorities to promulgate an Act to ensure social security rights.

A division bench of justices Anup Raj Sharma and Kalyan Shrestha directed the government authorities to promulgate the Act. The bench also directed the government to protect social security rights as envisioned by the Interim Constitution.

The bench told the authorities to promulgate the Act to effectively uphold the rights to education, health and employment.

The bench was responding to a petition filed by the All Nepal Women’s Organisation (Revolutionary). General secretary Amrita Thapa and treasurer Manu Humagain had filed the petition.

During today’s hearing, advocates Laxmi Sharma and Anjita Khanal pleaded on behalf of the petitioner.

The petitioners have accused the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of doing nothing and just nothing to protect social security rights even after the promulgation of the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007.