KATHMANDU, Jan 18: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the government to ensure free education for Dalits as well as people from the indigenous communities and women as guaranteed by the constitution.
A single bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla issued the interim order for ensuring free education to them even in community schools. The apex court issued the interim order in the name of the government in response to a writ petition filed by Man Bahadur Dangi, director of Bonded Women Empowerment Society.
Free education by law
Stating that Section 16(D)(2) of the Education Act, 1970 has ensured free education for the people of Dalit and indigenous communities as well as women and other students living under the poverty line, the bench directed the government to provide free education for such people.
Stating that the seventh amendment to the Education Act endorsed on February 7, 2002 also ensures free education up to the secondary level, the bench directed the community schools for providing education to Dalits, ‘Janajatis’ and women and also maintain separate records for giving them free education.
