Surkhet, May 23:

The headmaster of a local school, who barred a Dalit teacher from registering her name in the school’s attendance book because of her caste, has been demoted and fined Rs 500.

Parbati Rasaili had been transferred to Nepal Rastriya Primary School (NRPS) at Aulsurma where the headmaster, Bir Bahadur Khatri, barred her from registering her name.

The Surkhet District Education Office (DEO) had formed a seven-member probe committee under the coordination of section officer Barkhu Prasad Rajak to investigate the incident after the Annapurna Post national daily reported the incident on April 28. District Education Officer Bhakta Dhakal said Khatri will now serve as an assistant teacher for a year.

Another Dalit teacher of the school Ratna Bahadur BK has been appointed the headmaster of the school, Dhakal said.

“I knocked the DEO’s doors for justice after I was discriminated by the so-called educated people of the society. I am glad that justice was given to me,” Rasaili said. Khatri has also acknowledged his mistake.

District-based Dalit rights activists said the decision of the DEO was a victory for the entire Dalit community.