Students Express Growing Concerns Over Government’s Decision to Close Schools Two Days a Week
April 11, Doti – Vivek Niraula, a grade 9 student at Laxmipur Secondary School in Motipur, Thalara Rural Municipality-1, Bajhang, is increasingly worried about his studies. He expresses concern following the government’s recent decision to grant two days off each week (Saturday and Sunday). “I don’t think this decision by the government is good. We already have frequent holidays, so completing the course on time is challenging,” Niraula says. “Now that the government has decided to close schools two days a week, what will happen this year?” Although he has heard that Prime Minister Balen Shah is a good person, he is unhappy with this particular policy of shutting schools for two days.
Kritika Bhatt, an eighth-grade student at Betalmandau Secondary School in Sanfebagar Municipality-10, Achham, is dissatisfied with the schools being closed on Sundays. “Our studies will be disrupted. Teachers have told us that they won’t be able to finish the entire syllabus. Now we will have to study at home on our own,” she explains. According to her, Fridays are already occupied with extracurricular activities with no actual teaching happening. “That means we will only get four days of study each week,” she notes.
Diya Kutuwal, an eleventh-grade student at Padma Public Secondary School in Doti, reports negative impacts from Sunday closures. “With so many holidays, class time decreases. At home, we also study less. When classes are irregular, students become careless,” she states. “Since we also have to help with household chores on holidays, studying time reduces. I am worried about less effective learning.” Some students are concerned that spending time at home leads to distractions like mobile phones, television, or sports, reducing their focus on studies. “As the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) approaches, revising lessons and preparing may become difficult,” warns Pralhad Raji, a tenth-grade student at Samaiji Secondary School in Krishnapur Municipality-4, Kanchanpur. “Textbooks need to align with the new schedule; otherwise, the course will remain incomplete.” Raji fears the decision will adversely affect his exam preparations this year.
Pratiksha Arkhali Magar, a student at Bhagwati Secondary School in Chure Rural Municipality-6, Kailali, expresses that students suffer the most due to the two-day weekly holiday. “Teachers may benefit by getting more days off, but we are supposed to learn. If we don’t study now, when will we?” she asks with concern. “The government’s decision was not right,” she added.
