Mayor of Dashrathchand Municipality, Narendra Singh Thapa had requested four schools of the headquarter to close for four days for the upcoming convention of the Nepali Congress Party. The correspondence was done on November 17.
Birendra Secondary School, Jagadamba Secondary School, Dashrathchand Secondary and Dasharathchand Basic School of the headquarter were requested to close for four days. Mayor Thapa had in a letter requested to provide the building and the classes for Congress’ 14th District Convention.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, schools were closed for a long duration and the convention of the Congress Party seems to obstruct the studies of the children again.
Mayor of Dasharathchanda Municipality Narendra Thapa was elected on behalf of the Nepali Congress Party. Student Associations including ANNFSU and ANNISU (Revolutionary) have protested against Thapa’s correspondence to close the schools for the convention of the Nepali Congress Party. The associations are of the view that no party should violate the students’ right to education.
Mayor Thapa’s request has been fiercely criticized on social media and at the civic level. Chairperson of ANNFSU, Baitadi, Santosh Rana said he is not in the favour of the closure of the school for the convention of the party.
The Congress District Working Committee has also sent a letter to the schools to support the convention by providing building and classes and by closing the schools from November 20 to 23. Mayor Thapa, who is also the party Chairperson of the Nepali Congress, Baitadi district, had written letters to the schools on behalf of both the party and the municipality.
Anil Panday, a student of Birendra Secondary School said, schools were closed for a long time due to the spread of COVID-19 infection and they have recently resumed their physical operations, but again the schools were closed again during Dashain and Tihar. He further added that he is disappointed with the information of closing of the schools for the programs of the party.
Principal of Birendra Secondary School, Shahilek, Kailash Kanaujiya said, ‘We have consulted with the District Administration and the Education Development and Coordination Unit after receiving the letter to close the school. He further said, ‘We are preparing to follow the instructions of the administration.”