The government is set to kick off the student enrollment campaign on the first day of Baisakh. Following the public announcement of the final examinations in Chaitra, the enrollment campaign for students will commence on Baisakh 1.
Annually, the government invites applications for student enrollment from the first day of Baisakh for both government and private schools. Schools are prohibited from enrolling students until the public announcement of the final results of the last examinations. Nevertheless, some private schools in Bhaktapur have already initiated the enrollment campaign a month before conducting the final exams.
Matribhumi Secondary School in Ward No. 2 of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Jatigal, has opened enrollment for classes Nursery to 8. The school has solicited applications for enrollment through its webpage, social media, and various mediums for a limited time. It has clarified that excessive fees are not charged, and enrollment started from Falgun 10.
Several institutional schools, including Alok Vidhyashram in Kathmandu, have also carried out student enrollment campaigns. According to Shiv kumar Sapkota, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, the enrollment conducted in Falgun was deemed incorrect. He stressed that the responsibility for education, ranging from school registration to management, conducting classes, giving permission for operation, and monitoring, lies with the local government in accordance with the essence of federalism. He further emphasized that local governments should actively participate, take necessary actions, and assert their rights over educational matters within their jurisdiction.
Surendra Shrestha, the President of the Private and Boarding Schools' Organization (PABSON) in Bhaktapur, stated that schools have initiated the student enrollment campaign from Saraswati Puja. He mentioned that enrollment is typically open from Nursery to Class 1, and opening enrollment from Class 2 is considered incorrect. Some schools have already commenced enrollment from Nursery to Class 9. Sanjay Khadka, the President of PABSON in Bhaktapur, criticized the irregularities and contradictory regulations imposed by some renowned schools, highlighting that the government does not intervene in such matters.
He emphasized that despite their reputation, large schools act independently, and the government often turns a blind eye. He expressed, "The government divides; it does not regulate. It's up to the local level to scrutinize; otherwise, the federal government will need to intervene if necessary."
Concerns have been raised by parents regarding the unauthorized enrollment of students in higher classes in private schools. Keshav Puri, the central president of the Parents Association Nepal, stated that despite the government's silence, such private schools are strengthening their influence institutionally. He questioned, "Who gave them the right to enroll students when the results are not out? Why doesn't the government speak up against the violation of the official education calendar by schools? Why doesn't the local authority regulate? Weakness in government bodies puts parents and students at a disadvantage."
