Syndicate in education

The Himalayan Times

10 May 2018

Syndicate in education

There is no argument about the parents’ immense desires to give their children best education keeping in view of the ever growing challenging environment for their future no matter how exorbitant the fee is. Since, the quality of education in the public schools still questionable in-spite of government and donor organisations spending billions of rupees every year for the last several years, parents prefer to send their children to the private schools for acquiring better education in-spite of exorbitant fees. The governments in the past had completely failed to improve the teaching learning environment in public schools owing to either their short sightedness or heavy politicisation.

It is known facts that every year in the past, students unions affiliated to different political parties raised their voices and even staged protests against the monopoly of private schools. They even signed several deals with the government every year agreeing to monitor and scale down the excessive fees charged by the private schools. However, none of the agreements was fully implemented. Parents are forced to pay enormous fees charged under different headings in the name of quality education.

A few days ago, the government, PABSON and the student unions signed a six-point deal for lowering down school and other fees. However, it was surprising to read another news report that another seven student unions were against the agreement citing that they were not consulted while signing the deal “Student unions announce education strike” (THT, May 8, Page 2) Parents seem to be confused. Time has come for the government to settle this burning issue soon.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Mharajgunj