The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has drawn serious attention to the fact that the new form of COVID-19, which has been invading the world since last year, is spreading rapidly in Nepal and putting children at greater risk.
The commission has recently conducted on-site monitoring in various schools in the Kathmandu Valley to ensure compliance with the required standards of health care and the risk of corona infection in children, according to a statement issued on April 18, 2021.
According to the monitoring, health related standards are not followed in government schools as compared to private schools. The commission also said that it was not possible to follow the standards due to a large number of students. The commission said that even the patients with headaches were kept in the classroom along with other students.
It is mentioned that the commission has received information from various sources that more than 300 children have been infected with COVID-19 in two weeks.
The Ministry of Health and Population of the Government of Nepal has reminded that the most congested areas and services, including educational institutions, have been closed for the time being in 14 districts including the Kathmandu Valley which are at high risk. In this situation, the educational institutions are still in operation and the children’s right to health is at risk due to non-compliance with the standards of health security, the commission said.
The Commission also reminded that Article 39 of the Constitution of Nepal provides for the rights of children and Article 24 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989, which states Nepal as a party, should take into account the highest health interests of children.
Therefore, the Commission has urged to make alternative arrangements for education while being aware of the right to health of the children and to ensure the right to education keeping in view the right to life of the children.
The Commission has asked the Ministry of Health and Population of the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Education not to transmit contradictory information regarding the operation of schools.
The commission has suggested not to create psychological panic among the parents and students and to follow the opinion, advice, request or information of the Ministry of Health on health issues.
A statement issued by the spokesperson and joint secretary of the commission, Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, said that the government of Nepal and the concerned parties have been urged to take the sensitive issue of health seriously.