Kathmandu, October 5

Guardians and proprietors of private and boarding schools and higher secondary schools today drew the attention of National Human Rights Commission to the need to open closed schools in various districts of the Tarai.

A delegation of representatives from Guardians Association of Nepal, Nepal National Guardians Association, Private and Boarding Schools Organisation, Nepal, National Private and Boarding Schools Association of Nepal and Higher Secondary Schools Association Nepal today met with NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma to draw his attention to the need to ensue child rights in areas where schools have been closed.

Schools in various districts in Tarai have been shut down for more than 50 days due to the ongoing protest of Madhesi parties.

Likewise, schools in Kathmandu Valley are also on the verge of closure due to short supply of petroleum products.

Suprabhat Bhandari, president, GAN today said that they urged NHRC to take concrete steps to ensure children’s rights.

He said, “We urged NHRC to draw the attention of the international community towards violation of child rights and the need to open schools.”

He further said that NHRC Chair Sharma also assured them that discussions would be held with the Ministry of Education, Madhes-based political parties, UNICEF and Save the Children and others concerned regarding ensuring children’s rights very soon.

The education stakeholders had already drawn the attention of NHRC on September 13 regarding the closure of schools due to the protracted agitation in the Tarai.