17 student unions demand free education, ban on private school registration

KATHMANDU: Seventeen student organizations have jointly submitted a nine-point demand letter to Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, calling for student- and parent-friendly reforms, including teacher appointments through 100% open competition, in the School Education Bill.

Roshan Thapa Magar, general secretary of the ANNFSU (Revolutionary), read out and presented the memorandum on behalf of the joint student organizations in Singha Durbar on Tuesday.

The student unions have demanded the complete elimination of distortions caused by privatization and commercialization in the education sector, and the development of education as a service-oriented rather than profit-oriented field. They have also called for making all levels of education free gradually, as guaranteed by the constitution. Likewise, they have demanded a permanent ban on the registration of new private educational institutions.

The organizations further objected to the age and qualification provisions in the proposed Bill regarding entry into the teaching service. They argued that such measures would create a serious shortage of qualified teachers in schools and deepen the crisis in public education. They have demanded that the proposal be scrapped and that the existing age limit of 18 to 40 years and previous qualification requirements be retained for the time being.

They have also called for a provision requiring government teachers and employees, elected representatives, and anyone receiving state-funded facilities to enroll their children in community schools.

These student unions are affiliated with both ruling and opposition parties.