Government collects billions from students despite free education laws

Despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing free education up to the secondary level, the Nepali government continues to collect significant mandatory fees from students, generating over 2.5 billion rupees annually. Article 31 of the constitution states that every citizen has the right to free and compulsory education up to basic level (grade 8) and free education up to secondary level (grade 12). The Act Relating to Compulsory and Free Education, enacted in 2018, and its subsequent regulations in 2020, were intended to enforce this guarantee.

However, students and parents are required to pay more than a dozen government-imposed charges throughout their secondary school years. A student typically pays over 5,000 rupees in various mandatory fees between grades 9 and 12. These include registration fees (300 rupees in grade 9), examination application fees (500 rupees in grade 10, 800 rupees in grade 12), and additional charges for academic certificates after passing examinations. These fees are collected by schools and deposited with government authorities.

Narayan Pokhrel, information officer at the National Examinations Board, confirmed that students must pay these fees. The Board and the Office of the Controller of Examinations continue to collect these charges, even from students attending community schools, which are supposed to offer free education. This practice has led to questions about the state's fulfillment of its promise for free secondary education.

Critics contend that these numerous charges are incompatible with the constitutional guarantee. Long queues are often observed at the Board's offices as students seek academic certificates or correct errors, highlighting the administrative burden and cost associated with obtaining these documents. The continued collection of fees, despite the legal framework for free education, raises concerns about the government's commitment to accessible education for all.

“

The government itself instructs schools to collect registration, subject registration, examination application and certificate fees from students and deposit the money with the authorities.