Rautahat, September 4

The indefinite strike enforced by the United Democratic Madheshi Front has made resumption of classes in schools and colleges uncertain in Rautahat, depriving thousands of students of their right to education.

Twenty-one days have passed since UDMF called an the indefinite strike in the Tarai Madhesh to protest the draft statute and seven-province federal model. All public and private schools remain closed in the district due to the shutdown. Closure of schools has disrupted regular classes of virtually 1.5 lakh students in the district.

The district is home to 450 public schools. Private and Boarding Schools’ Organization (PABSON) Rautahat Secretary Gautam Shrestha said that the bandh had deprived more than 15,000 students of education.

“The schools closed after the earthquake have again pulled down their shutters due to the ongoing protests,” Shrestha said. He added that students were bearing the brunt due to political parties’ failure to implement their commitment towards the schools.

“Schools have been closed down. How can we complete the course on time?” Shrestha wondered. He urged the political parties to create an environment to run classes at least in the morning.

District Education Officer Bharat Babu Subedi said efforts to resume classes in schools failed. “We are requesting the agitating parties to allow us to open schools. They, however, are not positive toward our request”, Shreshtha shared.

Tenth graders have been the hardest hit. Ranjan Gupta studying in grade X at Juddha Secondary School in Gaur complained that bandh had disrupted their classes. “SLC exam is just six months away. But, there is no sign if the classes would resume soon,” Gupta lamented.

Bachelor First Year’s exam is scheduled to begin within a fortnight. “We are in a dilemma over whether the bandh will end or continue,” Campus Chief Mohan Kumar Yadav at Gaurishankar Campus said.