Conflict-hit kids deprived of education

BAGLUNG, Feb 18: After the death of his father during the Maoist conflict, 15-year-old Kushuram Pariyar of Darling-1 had to leave school and work at an eatery at Bhimgithe. Pariyar, who left school when he was in fourth grade, says despite her wish to study, she didn’t have an option.



“Seeing others going to school, I wish I could do so too,” she said. “But I must wash dishes to afford two square meals a day.”[break]



Pariyar’s three younger siblings also work as domestic help to keep themselves away from starving.



“My husband had sent our children to school by working for daily wages,” said Man Kumari Damai. “After his death, all of our children had to leave school.”



Her husband Bhakte Damai died from an army bullet while returning home after work. He worked as a daily wage earner. Some 200 children who lost their parents or disappeared during the conflict are deprived of education in the district, according to Conflict-Affected Society for Justice (CASJ), Baglung.



Most of children, who are from poor economic backgrounds, are going through difficult labor instead of going to school.



Thirteen-year-old Teksara Pun of Bobang-8 carries rocks on her back at an age when she should instead be carrying books. Pun does not recognize alphabets. Her younger brother and two younger sisters are also deprived of education.



Pun’s father Amar Bahadur Pun was killed by UCPN (Maoist) cadres six years ago during the conflict.



Pun’s mother Hastika Pun said she is unable to send her children to school owing to financial constraints. “Any parent would want to educate children,” she said, adding, “But I must send them to work.”



Kids like Pun complain that the government is not serious about the education of the conflict-affected.



Devi Seutani of Bungadoban-2 also said that she is unable to send her kids to school. Her husband Ram Bahadur Seutani disappeared during the conflict.



Badri Bahadur KC, president of CASJ, Baglung, said the government has not paid any attention toward educating conflict-affected children.



But the District Education Office said it is unaware that there are such children in the district. “We will help them if they come in out contact,” said District Education Officer Mukti Singh Thakuri. The office said it could arrange scholarships for such children.

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