School shutdown issue raised at UNESCO conference

KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Minister for Education Giri Raj Mani Pokhrel raised the issue of forceful closure of schools in the eight districts of Tarai since the protests began nearly three months ago, at a UNESCO conference on Sunday.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister Pokhrel said that the protests and the economic blockade imposed at the southern border has crippled normal lives and deprived millions of students from going to school.

"Restoration of normal supplies respecting the rights of landlocked countries will allow us to implement our constitutional commitment to education for all and child development," he said.

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He also called the UNESCO member countries to stand with Nepal in the post disaster reconstruction of around 8,000 schools. Pokhrel also informed member countries about the achievement made by Nepal in net enrollment of children at grade one and a consistent improvement in the dropout rates at school level.

He also expressed Nepal's commitment to the UN Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals.