Itahari: Nepal Students Union, Sunsari, padlocked the administration office of Hansposh-based Janasahayog Higher Secondary School indefinitely from today.

The union had padlocked the school office in protest against collection of fees from students of Grade VIII, IX and X citing it is against the government policy.

As per the government rule, all public schools across the country should provide free education to students. Defending the move, a member of the students union said, “The school has been collecting a huge amount of money under different pretexts from the students, which is against the government rule. So we had to padlock the office.”

Meanwhile, acting principal of the school Mohan Kumar Dahal said they had collected the amount from students as there is no other source of income in the school. He said the fee collection decision was agreed by all local parties and concerned authorities in a meeting.

Dahal went on to say that they have collected fees from students as they could not provide basic classroom facilities from the budget provided by the government which is very low. The students union, however, demanded the withdrawal of fees and has also insisted the school to return the amount collected from students.

Union district president Basanta Rai said, “Annually, the school has been collecting Rs 800 from Grade VIII students, Rs 1,800 from Grade IX and Rs 2,000 from Grade X students. This is completely illegal.” He went on to add, “All students cannot afford fees and such collection is against the rule of public schools.

source: The Himalayan Times, 24 Feb 2013