The CPN-Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) has continued to target private academic institutions for “exorbitant” fees. The union, which vandalised three higher secondary schools in the Capital on Monday, has shifted its target towards nursing colleges.

The Buddhanagar-based Kathmandu Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Nursing College and the Narayani Community Polytechnic Institute (NCPI), Chitwan, affiliated to the Centre for Technical Education Vocational Training (CTEVT), were vandalised on Tuesday morning for not following past agreements and charging “high” fees. According to the police, around 15 ANNISU-R activists stormed the colleges and smashed window panes, doors, projector and cupboard at KIST causing a loss of Rs 200,000 while a group of six that entered the NCPI damaged a bus parked on its premises and some electronic equipment. They, however, fled leaving their motorcycle after the students tried to control them.

According to ANNISU-R Central Committee member Ratna Dhakal, they had to take “action” as the CTEVT and the Education Ministry had done nothing to control fees charged by the nursing colleges. The union on Wednesday submitted memoranda to the ministry, the CTEVT and other stakeholders to lower fees to the level set by the government. “These colleges are charging double the CTEVT-approved Rs 390,000,” said Dhakal. “Tuesday’s protest is symbolic. We ask all the colleges to follow the rules and implement the agreement reached with us earlier or face further action.” The union has announced a shutdown of CTEVT-affiliated institutions on Wednesday to build pressure on them to lower the fees. “We will publicise further protests on Wednesday,” he added.

source: The Kathmandu Post,18 July 2012