National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Opposition Against Undemocratic Methods

Frustrated to see the continuation of politicization of education, guardians chose the most democratic way to lodge protest against undemocratic methods

By KESHAB POUDEL

When a group of guardians raising slogans demanding to respect the rights of small children to go to school lined up in front of the Central Office of Nepali Congress - country's oldest Democratic Party - last week, it was more than a mere demonstration. It sent shock waves in the political circles.

The guardians also visited the central office of CPN-UML, another major party, to hand over the memorandum. Peaceful and disciplined, guardians showed that they know the sober and democratic way of challenging the undemocratic actions of political parties.

Parents handing over memo to UML leader M.K. Nepal : Democratic pressure

Over the last one-year, the student unions affiliated to the country's two major political parties have frequently locked out the private schools including mission schools several times and brought them to standstill. Due to the initiatives taken by the teachers and parents of Rato Bangala School, the voices of over a million of innocent children were dutifully heard.

At a time when two private boarding school associations also called indefinite strike to counter the student unions irrational lockout, Rato Bangala has shown the responsible and democratic way to protecting the rights of the children.

Threatened by a peaceful but effective crusade against undemocratic moves, student unions of so called democratic parties have demanded an apology from the management of Rato Bangala before they will open the lockout in the school; exposing their undemocratic and anti-child rights nature to the world community. "I don't understand how the leaders of country's major political parties will convince the international community that such actions of the students union are aimed at restoring the democracy," said an analyst. "Instead of taking revenge, the student unions and political parties must open the locks at Rato Bangala and every other school. If they continue to do so, their parties will ultimately loose their credibility."

Led by renowned neurosurgeon and former minister Dr. Upendra Devkota, a large number of guardians including journalists, lawyers, doctors and other professionals also staged a demonstration in front of the United Nations Children's Fund urging to take notice about the violation of children's rights.

"Their patience has limitation. After a series of disruption in the private schools, a group of parents finally decided to come out against undemocratic actions of politically backed student unions," said a teacher.

"Enough is enough," said a parent showing their concern to the world community in front of United Nations building demanding the protection of rights of the children to go to school. "How long shall we remain indifferent when our small children's right to study is being denied by major political parties?"

Disturbingly, however, the response by the CPN-UML general secretary and former deputy prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is projected as a consensus candidate to lead the country by five political parties, is not much different than erratic student leaders.

CPN-UML general secretary Nepal, whose son and daughter passed the School Leaving Certificate from a boarding school charged peaceful demonstrators as a guardian of few rich boarding schools. Nepal, who started his political carrier framing a constitution of All Nepal Free Students Union (ANFSU) - one of the leading agitating student unions affiliated to the CPN-UML - seems to have forgotten that his student union also has locked the doors of Christian mission schools, which have been here to serve the interest of poor people.

The reactions to the lockouts at the missionary schools will be more counterproductive than the local private schools. Since mission schools are here to provide free education to the poor, no body can understands the rationale of student unions. Mission Schools closed their schools indefinitely following the lockout by seven student unions.

With the pressure from guardians, the student unions and government have agree to end the deadlock for the time being. The actions have also exposed true face of political leaders including octagenarian Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, who preaches one thing when he holds the power and does just the opposite when out of power.

"Through peaceful and democratic manner, the guardians have shown that they are mature enough to protect their own rights and interests," said a political analyst." "It is shameful to see undemocratic and anti-national behavior of country's major political parties."

The initiative taken by the guardians also shows that so called five political parties are no more leading forces in the process of restoring democracy. Civil society is also aware about their democratic rights and responsibilities.