Student Leaders Oppose Government Plan to Eliminate Party-Based Student Organizations

The government led by Balendra Shah has announced a plan to remove party-affiliated student organizations from schools and universities within 60 days. Student groups have expressed disagreement, stating that this violates their constitutional right under Article 17 to form political parties. Additionally, the government has decided to discontinue internal examinations for students up to grade 5, aiming to develop an assessment system that minimizes psychological harm. Kathmandu, March 29.

Under Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s leadership, a 60-day timeline was set to eliminate party-based student organizations from educational institutions. Student organizations have voiced their opposition to this initiative. Following Shah’s appointment, the cabinet meeting on March 27 approved a list of 100 programs, which includes the strategy to remove party-based student groups to halt the decline in educational quality.

The plan states, “To address the issue of political interference in education, the silencing of genuine student voices, and the deterioration of educational standards, structures of party-affiliated student organizations will be removed from schools and universities within 60 days. Within 90 days, student councils or student voice mechanisms will be developed.” Student groups have rejected the proposal to replace these organizations with student councils.

According to student leaders, this plan infringes upon their constitutional right to establish political parties as outlined in Article 17. Suraj Sejuwal, spokesperson for the Nepal National Students’ Union (NNSU), commented, “The proposal is immature and not based on a proper review of the constitution. Political expression is a fundamental right. The current Free Student Union structure cannot be dismantled. We must avoid authoritarian approaches.”