Denied Access to School Due to Disability

  October 30, 2023 By: INSEC

23-year-old Saroj Shrestha of Chautara Sagachokgadi Municipality-7 has been denied access to school due to his disability.

Saroj’s sister, Sushila Shrestha,informed that the school declined to admit Saroj, who has been studying in Class 6 for over five years, citing that he did not fit within the age group criteria for the class.

Saroj was already 18 when he passed class 6. However, Tilak Bahadur Dangal, the assistant principal of Shri Siddhi Ganesh Medium School, explained that enrolling Saroj in the same class was problematic since it consisted of students aged 12 to 13 years, and Saroj’s age did not align with the typical age group for that class.

Saroj explained that his studies were delayed because he had to spend four years in the hospital for treatment, which affected his education. Saroj Shrestha expressed his disappointment to INSEC, stating that he felt disheartened as the school did not admit him despite his strong desire to continue his studies.

Saroj, categorized in ‘A’ class disabled identity card, gets a social security allowance of Rs 4,000 per month provided by the government. He says that he has to sustain his livelihood with the amount received from social security allowance.

Despite his right arm and leg not functioning, Saroj has a strong desire to make a living through technical work. However, he expresses his sorrow over the unfulfilled desire, primarily because he is deprived of the opportunity to attend school.

Article 31 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 provides for the right to education in which all citizens are guaranteed access to basic education. Similarly, people with disabilities and economically disadvantaged citizens have the right to get free higher education according to the law.

However, 23-year-old Saroj Shrestha of Chautara Sagachokgadi Municipality-7 has been deprived of the right to education due to his disability.


Natibabu Dhital