PARBAT, April 26: A large number of students in Kushma Municipality have been deprived of textbooks as the local unit has failed to sanction the budget for community schools to buy the textbooks even after the beginning of the new academic year.
Even two weeks after the beginning of the current academic year, students studying at various community schools are yet to receive their books. Reportedly, the Municipal Education Department had submitted complete documents proposed by students to the Municipal Administration for the budget but in vain.
Students of Kushma schools deprived of textbooks
Tejendra Acharya, principal of Shramik Primary School, informed Republica that they have not been able to distribute the textbooks to the students even though school has resumed classes. “According to the provision, the municipality must deposit a certain amount in the account of community schools for the purchase of books. But that has not happened yet,” said Acharya.
The government has assured free books for the students of community schools. Rajendra Bahadur Chhetri, municipal education officer, stated that he had submitted all the necessary documents to the municipality for proposing the budget. “It has been a month since we submitted the documents. But we have no idea whether the schools have received the money,” said Chhetri.
He claimed that the department is not to blame for the delay. Hari Pangeni is the newly-appointed administrative chief of Kushma. According to him, he has not yet been given the authority to transfer the budget. Recently, Chief Administrative Officer Subash Kumar Lamichhane and Accountant Krishna Prasad Sharma were transferred to another district. However, despite being transferred, Lamichhane is currently on a visit with accountant Sharma and Mayor Ram Chandra Joshi. He is yet to hand over his responsibilities to the new accountant.
The negligence by the municipality has irked the parents. Newly-appointed administrative chief Pangeni stated that he will be able to solve this problem only after former chief Laminchhane returns from his tour.
