PM condemns attack on CJ

Kathmandu, Feb. 4 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that as the barbaric and lethal attack made by Maoist terrorists on the Chief Justice in Surkhet yesterday is tantamount to an attack on the Institution of the Crown and the democratic institutions of the country, this should be condemned from all sides.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was inaugurating the sixth national general convention of Private and Boarding Schools Association Nepal (PABSON) here today, said the Maoist terrorists have been attacking the Institution of the Crown, the symbol of national unity since long, and have been obstructing the country’s development process. Which is why it has been imperative for one and all to unite so as to alienate these anti-national elements from society, he added.

Since the Maoist activity, which is being carried out without any aim and purpose, is inimical to the interest of the country and the people it has been essential for the government and the people to unite so as to stop this anti-national activity, Prime Minister Koirala said.

Speaking about the important role that private schools can play in raising the standard of education, he stressed the need for coordination between private and public schools.

As disturbing the education sector means pushing the country into a crisis, he urged all schools to run classes regularly without giving in to the pressure of the so called Maoists.

Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya said that amendments to the existing education act is being considered to encourage the participation of the private sector and civil society in education.

Stressing the need for private schools to bear in mind the country’s economic and social conditions rather than just being profit-oriented, Minister Upadhyaya said several provisions will be made in the amended act to streamline private schools.

He also presented letters of commendation to various distinguished persons for their outstanding contributions to education and academic sector.

Minister of State for Education and Sports Dilendra Prasad Badu was of the view that public schools can learn from such qualities of private schools as hard work, good management and nonpolitical atmosphere.

Ex-minister of state for education Govinda Raj Joshi spoke of the need to keep education away from politics and formulate pro-student education policy, while ex-minister and chief of CPN-UML education department Jhalanath Khanal said that the education sector cannot become stable in the absence of peace and security and that nationalization of education has become outmoded.

CPN-ML president Mrs Sahana Pradhan lauded the role of private schools in the country’s educational development and said that everyone should work as per the spirit of the popular movement and the constitution for the country’s overall development.

At the programme presided over by PABSON president Rajesh Khadka, president of guardian’s association Suprabhat Bhandari, senior PABSON vice president Umesh Shrestha and general secretary Sitaram Maskey and others spoke against the idea of nationalising education.

There are about 8,000 private schools in the country.

The two-day general convention is scheduled to elect a new leadership of the association.

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