KATHMANDU, Dec 23: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has warned of taking action against schools that compel students to purchase extra clothing during various festivals.
According to Moti Bhattarai, an officer of the Metropolitan Education Department, necessary action has been initiated following complaints about students being coerced to buy additional clothes, especially in private schools within the metropolis, under the pretext of various festivals.
Bhattarai informed Republica that due to the financial burden imposed on students and parents by making it mandatory to buy festival-related clothing, the KMC has issued warnings to schools. Failure to comply will result in fines and other actions.
"There have been complaints that various private schools have forced students to buy extra clothes on the occasion of Christmas," Officer Bhattarai said. "Parents are suffering from economic recession. Even within the school, there have been complaints that students who do not wear the prescribed extra dress are looked down upon. This has vitiated the educational environment in the name of education and clothing," he mentioned.
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According to him, the KMC has issued a circular to all schools not to do so.
He said that the schools that refuse to obey will be punished according to the Metropolitan Education Act, 2075 BS (Amendment) and other prevailing laws.
According to him, notices have been sent to schools that action will be taken against those schools compelling students to buy more books and uniforms than prescribed by the Curriculum Development Centre.
"KMC has increased monitoring. Schools failing to adhere to directives will be questioned for clarification," he stated. "The decision has been made to shut down schools by deploying metropolitan police if deemed necessary," he added.
According to Prem Rai, Chairperson of Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal (PABSON), PABSON has not decided to force students to buy extra clothes or textbooks.
Rai, who is also the principal of Eden Bridge Academy in Tokha Municipality, added, “Our school also provides practical knowledge about various religious and cultural festivals. But has not mandated students to buy additional clothes or textbooks so that it adds financial burden on the parents.”
Suprabhat Bhandari, President of Guardian’s Association Nepal, said that the decision of the KMC is commendable. He is of the view that schools have spread distortions by buying extra clothes in the name of promoting religion and culture.
"Kathmandu Metropolitan Municipality has taken a bold step to stop the distortion, this is a commendable action. Schools are forcing people to buy different clothes and destroy the original culture under the guise of education. This is a distortion in education. While schools can teach religion and culture, engaging in business under its pretext is unacceptable,” President Bhandari said.
A total of 87 public and 504 private schools are currently operating within the KMC.
