ILAM, April 29: Community schools in Ilam that had been closed due to the teachers' protest have started reopening after pressure from parents. Some schools resumed classes from Sunday after parents voiced concern that the ongoing closure was putting students' future at risk.
Ilam Municipality also issued a statement on Sunday urging schools to reopen. Bishnubhakta Bhandari, a teacher at Binapani Secondary School in Puwa Majhuwa, Ilam-3, said the school reopened on Sunday. "Some students came today, their names were registered, and textbooks were distributed," he said.
E-learning centers in Banepa community schools
Nirmal Timilsina, a teacher at Nepaltar Secondary School in Ilam-1, said they had to reopen the school following pressure from parents. Similarly, Khandrung Secondary School in Jitpur, Deumai Municipality-9, also reopened on Sunday.
However, Som Niraula, the headmaster of Amar Secondary School in Ilam-5, said although parents have requested reopening, it might still take a few more days. Discussions with parents are ongoing before making a final decision, he added.
After schools remained closed for a long time, Ilam Municipality released a statement showing solidarity with the teachers’ movement but requested that schools reopen for the sake of the students' future. Mayor Kedar Thapa said in the statement that delays in school admissions were affecting students' mental well-being and that, since talks were ongoing to address teachers' demands through the Education Act, schools should continue academic activities without affecting enrollment and exams.
Ran Bahadur Rai, the mayor of Suryodaya Municipality, also stressed the need to reopen schools. "Creative forms of protest should be used without affecting student enrollment. The federal government must address the teachers' demands through dialogue," he said, "Classrooms of community schools should not be left empty."
Ganesh Kumar Khadka, a teacher at Himalaya Secondary School in Gorkhe, Suryodaya Municipality-1, said the government must address teachers' demands immediately to create an environment for schools to operate normally.
