"We have been forced to study here as our schools were closed by them (Tharu community leaders). This is a symbolic protest," said Bikram Khanal, 10th grader of Padmodaya Public Namuna Higher Secondary School adding that no party should drag children in politics. "They are playing with our future. They got to find alternatives for bandas."
Sandeep Pokhrel, another agitating student studying at the Valley Top School said that irregular classes finally puts brunt of the bandas on the students as they don't get sufficient time to prepare for the examinations. "It is very frustrating that we are restricted from studying nowadays. And later also we will be the one who will pay the cost if we don't perform well in our exams. We want smooth education and regular classes," he asserted.
The strike has hampered education of over 250,000 students in the district. Demanding Tharuhat state, Tharuhat struggle committee has forcefully closed down market, schools, hospitals and public offices.
Due to the massive quake of April 25 and aftershocks, educational institutions were closed. Educational institutions had resumed recently and were gradually returning the students back into studies. But the strike has now taken the toll on their studies.
Elaborating on the impact of the earthquake on educational institutions and students, district chairman of PABSON, Dang, Yadav Giri said that the kids were psychologically affected due to the quake along with the losses to infrastructure of education institutions. He said that many of the students were counselled for helping in getting rid of the quake fears. "We were nearly overcoming the post quake fears but then started another problem. Student unions obstructed classes for a few days demanding improvement in education system. And now this indefinite band has seriously affected the education of over 2, 50 000 students" he said.
The banda called by the Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal is scheduled to continue it till Friday. however there are fears that it might get extended beyond that as well. "There are still rumors for the strike to continue until September 1, which has added further worries to the students' anxiety," Giri said. Pitamber Rijal, a school teacher claimed that the strikes were affecting schools examinations and expressed annoyance for "not sparing even the so-called peace zone."
Giri added that PABSON was unable to secure the rights of the students to study. "Although we requested the band enforcers a lot for letting educational institutions operate, we could not succeed. They are hell bent on closing down schools. They have threatened us that the students can get harmed if deny to keep schools closed."
However, the protesters try to justify the whole clamp down that has seriously affected normal life in the region. "The schools cannot be opened when we are struggling for a bigger cause- our identity has been undermined. Banda can't be effective if we let educational institutions open," a band enforcer claimed.
However, Banda enforces from different areas have conflicting opinions. The strike enforcers in Ghorahi area for opening of schools at least, while the enforcers in Deukhuri and Tulsipur area have denied to provide any discounts to education institutions. Talks to end the strike, meanwhile, failed on Wednesday also to reach conclusion.
According to Giri, out of total 190 working days in a year, 25 days have already been affected due to various reasons, including the strike. "The teachers won't be able to finish courses on time in such case," he said while expressing concerns for the students.
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