Stakeholders of education have suggested the government to not close schools. In a meeting called by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) on Monday to hear the view of stakeholders about school operation concerning the increasing spread of COVID-19, representatives of school operators, local governments, guardians, teachers and others stated that the closure of educational institutions should not be made the last resort.
Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, president of the Association of Municipalities of Nepal, said though the constitution of Nepal has delegated the right of education up to secondary level to local government, federal government has been taking all decisions about secondary education. He further said local governments are capable to decide about school operation and closure where the COVID-19 has impacted. The centre has no right to close all schools at one go, he added.
Suprabhat Bhandari, President of Guardian Federation, said in lack of coordination between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health different bodies made different decisions. He further said the right to close schools should be given to the local governments.
Dharmadatta Devkota, another president of the Guardian Federation, said that the government should monitor schools to follow standards to avoid COVID-19 transmission. However, school closure was essential at high-risk places.
Baburam Thapa, teachers’ leader, said that the situation outside the valley was not dire, therefore the local governments should coordinate in the affected areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Tikaram Puri, president of Private and Boarding School Organisation Nepal (PABSON), said, “It is no time to close schools, academic activities can be continued by conducting classes in two shifts.”
He also said local governments should decide whether to operate or close schools according to the situation.
DK Dhungana, co-chair of the PABSON, complained that the frontline teachers were not given priority for vaccinations and argued that there was no need to close schools immediately.
Secretary at the University Grants Commission Shankar Prasad Bhandari said that they would themselves decide about the closure of the university if the situation worsened.
Chairman of the National Examination Board Prof. Dr. Chandra Mani Poudel said that it is not necessary to close everything from the centre and added strict monitoring was necessary to ensure implementation of safety protocols.
Education Secretary Ram Prasad Thapaliya and Education Ministry Spokesperson Deepak Sharma said that the media were disseminating false news that there had been recommendation for closure of schools.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL,
