Students seek action against ‘costly’ schools

Kathmandu, May 26

Student unions aligned to various political parties today served a three-day ultimatum to Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel, demanding action against private schools that have been flouting the government directives relating to fee fixation.

They also warned of stern protests if the government did not take action against such schools.A couple of weeks ago, a team led by joint-secretaries and representatives from student unions monitored around two dozen special category schools and found many of them charging high tution fees.

Some of these schools were found charging up to Rs 30,000 as monthly fee for Grade I students. They were also found prescribing unnecessary textbooks and not providing scholarship to students.

“I am committed to taking action against private schools that have been flouting the government directives,” said Minister Pokharel. He also expressed dissatisfaction at the delay in printing of school textbooks by both the state-owned and private printing firms.

He assured that the student unions would be invited for talks to discuss the issues raised by them.