The High Court, Janakpur, Rajbiraj Bench has issued a short-term interim order not to implement the fee hike in private and Guthi schools within Rajbiraj Municipality of Saptari.

The single bench of Judge Ram Bahadur Thapa issued the order on Thursday in a writ of injunction and mandate filed by advocate Suresh Kumar Singh. With the order, the implementation of the new fee rates made public by the municipality has been immediately stopped, while the parties including the municipality have been directed to submit a written response and a presentation has been set for further discussion on Asad 11. The parties have been directed to appear with the necessary evidence.

The order states that the decision to increase the fee was contrary to Sub-rule (2) of Rule 147 of the Education Regulations, 2049 BS and Clause (b) of Rule 145 Sub-rule (1) of Rule 84 of that regulation, which states that the academic session of the school will begin from Baisakh 1 and will continue till mid-Chait. The order examines the legal provisions of Sub-rule (1) of Rule 84 of that regulation, which states that the academic session of the school will begin from Baisakh 1 and will continue till mid-Chait.

‘While Sub-rule (2) clearly states that schools must publish a notice 3 months before the start of the academic session, the opponents decided to increase the academic fees in institutional and Guthi schools in the current academic session in a meeting held on Saturday, 20th Jestha,’ the order states. ‘While determining the fees, it is not seen that a committee formed to include representation of the Education Development and Coordination Unit and parents was formed as per Clause (b) of Sub-rule (1) of Rule 145 (a) of the said regulation in the case of schools.’