KATHMANDU, Feb 7: A bandh called by Netra Bikram Chand led CPN-Maoist Party’s ANNISU (Revolutionary) has shut down the majority of schools and colleges throughout the country.  

While the government declared schools as the zone of peace on May 25, 2011, there often are strikes in schools and colleges. Schools were declared peaceful zones after 10 children lost their lives in Doti during a crossfire between the Maoist insurgents and security forces on October 13, 2003. 

The ANNISU (Revolutionary) called the nation-wide educational strike protesting the arrest of its Treasurer Narendra Bishwokarma from Biratnagar on January 31, reads a press release issued by ANNISU (Revolutionary) Chairman, Chiranjivi Dhakal. 

Chairman Rituraj Sapkota of National Private and Boarding Schools’ Association, Nepal (N-PABSAN) expressed his disappointment over the trend of calling a strike over the schools for political issues and government’s failure in providing social security in the society. 

According to Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Centre for Education and Human Resource Development’s flash reports-2074, there are total 35,601 schools in the country. Among which 27,883 are the community and private schools whereas remaining 566 schools are religious schools. Likewise, the total number of students attending schools from grade 1 to 12 is 73,91,574 in the country.

We are unknown about today’s educational strike and these sorts of strikes are against the right of students, Baikuntha Prasad Aryal, spokesperson at the Ministry said.

Right activists started to raise the voice demanding schools to be declared as the zone of peace 

 
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