Kathmandu: Thirteen student unions affiliated to various political parties today submitted a three-point charter of demand, including at least 25 per cent of national budget for the education sector.

Himal Sharma, president, All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary aligned to the UCPN-Maoist, said since the budget allocated for the sector in the past was not enough, they sought at least 25 per cent of the budget in the sector for the coming fiscal.

He said they had put pressure on the minister to implement the eight-point agreement reached with the unions last year on establishing at least one community Plus Two college with science faculty each in 240 constituencies, among others. “The government should offer scholarship to at least 30 students in each constituency,” said Sharma.

The students also urged the minister to appoint vice chancellors in the seven universities, including Tribhuvan University and Nepal Sanskrit University, which have been running without executive heads for long.

However, Sharma opposed the trend of picking up VCs based on political orientation. “The VCs

must not be appointed on the basis of political sharing,” he said.

In response, Minister Tuladhar pledged to do his bit to fulfil the students’ demands. “I am trying my level best to implement the agreements reached with the students and appoint the VCs,” said Tuladhar, revealing that political parties are pressing him to appoint those loyal to them as VCs.

He stated that the ministry has already proposed around 20 per cent of national budget for the education sector in the coming fiscal.

source: Himalayan News,"Students seek more budget for education", The Himalayan Times, 11 July 2011