Khairahani Municipality Launches Local Legal Literacy Classes
Khairahani Municipality in Chitwan has initiated legal literacy classes aimed at teaching communities how to resolve disputes at the local level.
Through its Judicial Committee, the municipality has been conducting legal and dispute-resolution classes for children, community groups, and targeted populations within the municipal area.
Aim to Reduce Legal Burden through Community Resolution
Deputy Mayor Kavita Upreti stated that the objective of this program is to empower individuals to resolve conflicts within their own homes and villages, reducing the need to approach the municipal judicial system.
She added that after launching these classes, many minor disputes are now being settled at the village level itself. The municipality has been running such programs in rural areas for the past two years.
Legal literacy sessions have been conducted in basic and secondary schools, among women’s groups, and marginalized communities within the municipality.
Common Local Disputes and Proactive Awareness
Disputes in rural communities typically involve quarrels, boundary issues, and civil matters. Educating people at the grassroots level about resolving such issues can reduce the burden on the formal justice system.
Deputy Mayor Upreti mentioned that sessions have been conducted for school children, disadvantaged groups, members of community forest user groups, and women’s groups.
Positive Impact Observed in Schools
Shambhu Bartaula, Principal of Kankali Secondary School, reported that organizing legal awareness camps for students has been very effective.
Since legal topics are included in social studies at the school level, expert-led sessions have enhanced students’ understanding of the law.
He added that such programs have helped children understand how disputes arise, how to avoid legal complications, and the consequences of legal penalties—ultimately reducing conflicts in rural communities.
Anjana Acharya, Principal of Janajeevan Secondary School, shared that students have gained insights into issues related to violence, crime, and legal consequences through these sessions.
She emphasized that legal literacy classes have increased children’s awareness and understanding of fundamental legal provisions. Acharya recommended that such expert-led programs be conducted at least twice a year.
Judicial Committee Expands Reach to Schools and Communities
The Judicial Committee has been running legal literacy programs for students from grades 6 to 12.
Legal facilitator and advocate Sanjay Chaudhary, representing Khairahani Municipality’s Judicial Committee, stated that more than 12 community and institutional schools have participated in these programs.
Additionally, the committee has organized group training sessions for various communities within the municipality premises.
Special Outreach to Women and Marginalized Groups
The municipality has conducted camps specifically targeting women in rural areas, particularly women from the Tharu community.
Chaudhary explained that many women who initially hesitated to attend later expressed gratitude for the knowledge gained and even requested additional sessions on new topics.
Local Coordination to Strengthen Justice Delivery
Along with rural legal awareness camps, judicial dialogues have been held with ward members, police officers, representatives from the land revenue and survey offices, and environment division representatives to enable local-level dispute resolution.
Ramesh Paudel, Coordinator of the Municipality’s Employment Service Center, mentioned that the municipality also provides consultation and assistance related to foreign employment issues.
Information has been provided on the process of obtaining labor approvals, complications faced in foreign employment, and the municipality’s financial assistance for serious illnesses affecting migrant workers or their families.
Chitwan