Sharada Higher Secondary School, established around 70 years ago making it one of the oldest schools in the district, has created a legacy of sorts with its anti-marriage policy though it is against the education policy and regulations as well as the basic human rights. [break]
The school takes action against those who marry at an early age without the consent of parents. Marriage with schoolmates too is not allowed. The school, however, allows marriage with persons outside the school with parental consent, according to president of the school management committee Hari Bhagat Shrestha.
Principal Bishwanath Dahal said four students have been expelled this year for violating the code of conduct. Tenth graders Santa Bahadur Tamang, 17, and Babita Tamang, 16, have become the latest victims of the school code of conduct after their love marriage on May 16. The management committee while expelling them had accused the duo of vitiating the environment of the school and violating the code of conduct.
"The duo will not get to study here for another one year for their indiscretion," Principal Dahal said.
The school had similarly expelled Dipen Shrestha, 22, and Uma Shrestha, 18, of grade XI for marrying on August 25.
The school had first expelled Birendra Kumari Magar and Bhim Kumar Shrestha 40 years ago, Babita Shrestha and Kabishwar Limbu 29 years ago and Nara Bahadur Shrestha and Meen Shrestha 11 years ago.
President of the management committee Shrestha said the school can take back such actions only when the parents ask for pardon for their children. The students lament no one has come in their support despite the code of conduct violating their rights to education and basic human rights.
District Education Officer Jhoom Prasad Rai said students cannot be expelled merely for marrying though actions can be taken for violating discipline. "We will take action after getting the details through the resource persons concerned," Rai said.
Lawyer Tej Narayan Singh Rai also referred to the law which allows marriage with family´s consent at 18 years and of one´s own will at 20 for girls and 20 with family´s consent and 22 of own will for boys and said the action has violated the rights to education. "If someone marries before the legal age, only the court can separate them. Even the court can only separate them till they mature to become eligible," lawyer Rai argued.
Dipen claimed that they had married with permission from the family and rued the school´s decision that barred them from studying despite attaining the marriageable age. "The school has done injustice to us," he complained.
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