Siraha/Kathmandu, October 3

A Grade X student of Model Education Academy in Lahan Municipality was expelled from school for acting in a short comedy film in Siraha.

Sanjana Mandal, who was expelled from the school, alleged that Principal Indradev Mandal rusticated her calling her characterless after she acted in the film. “The principal has barred me from entering the school,” Sanjana told THT.

Sanjana has not attended classes for the past two days after Principal Mandal ‘expelled her from school’.

Earlier, Sanjana’s parents were forced to transfer her sister and brother, who used to study in the same school, to another school after the principal allegedly asked them to clean toilet and cook food in the school canteen.

Sanjana alleged that the principal had been giving her a hard time since her siblings changed school. Sanjana’s parents demanded that she be allowed to attend classes.

Principal Mandal, who is Sanjana’s neighbour, however, refused to comment.

Meanwhile, Bijay Sambahamphe, president of Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal, an umbrella body of private schools, told THT: “No school can expel Grade X students, as they are registered for Secondary Education Examination and rarely get admission in another school. This means students will have to take a gap year before appearing for board exams.” If Grade X students wish to change schools they have to get letters from the school that they are leaving and the school that is accepting them, according to Sambahamphe. The students then have to get District Education Office’s approval. The office allows a student to switch schools only in special cases, like compulsion of the family to relocate to a new place, said Sambahamphe.

Human rights activist Devraj Pokhrel said the principal’s action had violated Sanjana’s right to education.