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Khatyang schools reopen with Maoist understanding

NEPALGUNJ, JAN 13 - All 35 schools in the Khatyang region of Mugu district that had been closed for about a month due to Maoist threats resumed classes from today.
The schools had closed down, disrupting the education system, after the teachers fled to the district headquarters upon receiving the threatening notice from the Maoists to impose "Educational Calendar" in these schools.
However, due to the last Thursday’s discussion, involving the Maoists, students, teachers, guardians and a team of the Human Right Commission (HRC), an agreement was reached between them which ultimately gave way to the opening of these schools from Monday. The HRC team had come from the capital, Kathmandu, to monitor human rights in Mugu.
According to information provided by Bishnu Bhusal, a member of the HRC team, since the Maoists have decided to take back their decision to impose Educational Calendar (EC), the teachers have agreed to conduct classes.
It is learnt that the closure of these schools had forced 144 teachers to flee to the district headquarters disrupting the studies of 2400 students enrolled in these schools.
Mangal Shahi, the district secretary of the Maoists, said that due to the continuous complaints and disapproval from various sections of the society, they had to forsake their idea of imposing their ‘Educational Calendar’.
Though this deadlock came to an end, the general populace is happy to learn about the Maoist’s commitment to allow all the schools in the region to run smoothly without any disturbances in the future.
According to Bhusal, it is learnt that the Maoists have also reiterated their commitment not to hinder postal services, as well as the non-government organisations, operating without US assistance.Posted on: 2004-01-14 04:13

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