Primary education

There is a global consensus on the value of primary education. As a native Englishman teaching in Nepal it is hard to believe that a child can be withdrawn from school before completing his or her primary education.

Estimates suggest that only 60 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls complete primary education. These are shocking figures, which go on to explain Nepal’s 54 per cent literacy rate. I feel the dropout rates are because the ‘free’ state education is often costly to the families because they cannot afford to buy things like books, uniforms and stationery.

As the government has different priorities right now, the investment in primary education must come from other sources. The educated and wealthy Nepalis should pledge their time, expertise and resources voluntarily. Money alone is not the key because corruption can be spotted even in some foreign-funded projects. To ensure that funds are put to best use the involvement of the benefactors is a must. Moreover, unlettered adults should make best use of the adult literacy programmes being run by their respective VDCs. I suggest skill-oriented primary education for both adults and children as a long-term solution.

Benjamin Britton,

Bhaktapur Qualification

This refers to Vijaya Chalise’s article “Municipal Poll” published in THT on February 1. Despite being associated with a government media organisation, the author has shown courage in his

opinion regarding the upcoming polls. I would like to congratulate him for his strong views.

Since the seven-party alliance has decided to boycott the polls, there is lack of candidates. Even those who have filed their nomination papers seem ignorant about the political situation of the country.

People doubt their abilities and qualifications for carrying responsible jobs. Minimum educational qualifications should be fixed for the candidates, like a graduate degree for

member of Parliament, intermediate level for the mayor and vice-mayor, and completion of SLC for chairman and vice-chairman of VDCs. We need qualified leaders to lead our country.

Basanta Kandel, TU

Unreliable

It is strange that the leaders are unfairly pointing fingers at the king for all the present problems as if they had no role in bringing the country to the present state. What about bad governance and corruption resorted to by them in the past twelve years when they were in power. They did not have any respect whatsoever for the democratic norms then. What makes them preachers of democracy all of a sudden now? Is it because they are now powerless? Given their past record, will the people trust them again?

Ramesh B Shrestha,

Lalitpur

Don’t cheat I have noticed people taking advantage of student concession system in the

local transport services. The conductors do not inquire about the student ID card, thus making it simple and easy for some people to buy tickets at a concessional rate. The

bus and microbus unions should check this abuse because this is going to cost them dear in the long run.

Prajwal Baral, via e-mail