Protests shut Nepal schools

Protests in Nepal are on the increase

By Navin Khadka
BBC correspondent in Kathmandu

About 10,000 private schools in Nepal have been closed down indefinitely in an attempt to end a dispute by students.

Student union leaders are demanding changes in the way the private schools are funded and say education in government schools should be free.

The school operators say they will reopen the schools only if a lockout - carried out by protesting students - comes to an end.

Student leaders argue the schools have made false charges against them.

Nearly 1.5 million students across Nepal have been affected by the closure of the schools.

Refusal

The Association of Private and Boarding Schools says its members' democratic right to be organised has been hijacked by the lockout at their offices, implemented by the student groups.

Seven student unions closed the school operators' offices last week after the government refused to meet demands for free education in government schools.

During talks with private schools last week, union leaders demanded that private schools should be run by trusts.

Principals of the private schools said that the issue could only be discussed if the blockade ended.

The students refused to meet the condition and talks between the two sides broke down last weekend.

Since then each side has levelled charges and counter charges the other.

The Association of Private Schools has accused the unions of extortion and intimidation.

Student leaders deny the charges and have challenged the school authorities to prove their claims.

The student unions are affiliated to one or the other political parties of the dissolved House of Representatives.

The parties have been protesting the royal move of 4 October 2002 when King Gyanendra assumed executive powers, sacking an elected prime minister.