Bhanu Municipality in Tanahun has imposed a ban on charging any fees in community schools. According to the municipality, schools are not allowed to collect fees under any title from nursery to secondary level.
Reason for the Decision
Although education is declared free, schools have been charging under various pretexts such as parent support fees, form fees, and exam fees. Citing this, the municipality has enforced the ban.
Harihar Upreti, Head of the Social Branch of the municipality and Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 10, stated that such practices were taking place in the name of school management committee decisions.
Municipality to Cover Stationery Expenses
To ensure the effective implementation of the no-fee policy, the municipality has decided to cover expenses for exam-related materials, including notebooks, pens, photocopies, and printouts.
Chairperson Upreti said, “Submit the bills for stationery needed for exams and related work, and the municipality will cover the costs. But schools are strictly instructed not to collect any fees.”
Prohibition on Fundraising in Disguise
According to Upreti, some schools have been raising money under the guise of donations and support, rather than explicitly labeling it as fees. Fees have also been charged to cover the salaries of teachers hired from private sources or to operate English-medium classes.
In response to these practices, the municipality has prohibited any form of fee collection. Upreti also informed that if schools require teachers, the municipality will arrange positions as needed.
Policy Based on Government Law
The municipality stated that it is following the government's policy, which guarantees free education for students. According to Article 16 (gha), Sub-article (ka) of the Education Act, 2028 (with amendments), parents can voluntarily donate to community schools. However, misusing this provision to collect mandatory payments from parents has led the municipality to issue a directive against collecting any fees.
The municipality emphasized that this initiative aligns with the constitutional provision that guarantees free education in community schools up to the secondary level.
