Published on the front page of Kantipur on January 10, 'Children studying on cold floors since 17 years' has presented a dark picture of the plight of primary schools, our education system and the indifference of the government.

For 17 years, children have been studying on the cold floor in a Dalit primary school located in Fatuwa Vijayapur municipality-1 of Rautahat. This is not only a matter of shame, it is a symbol of the total failure of the state system. There is no school building, no desk-bench, no toilet. A school where attendance registers and documents must be kept in plastic bags, what can we expect there? Every day children come from home carrying sacks. Those who don't bring sacks are forced to sit on the cold floor in a wretched way.

Leaders' speeches are rich. Election promises include investment in education. However, in reality, their priority is not the future of children, but only their political interests. No government is interested in the struggle and dreams of these Dalit children. Instead of concrete steps being taken for children, there is only evidence of wastage of funds and failure of schemes.

Headmaster Hiralal Prasad Yadav's eyes speak - the state does not care. The municipality has forgotten its responsibility. A hut standing on 10 dhur land has become a representative example of today's 'new education system of Nepal'. Trampling the basic rights of children in this way is an extreme case of irresponsibility. Where did the school budget go? Why is this school still limited to huts? Who will answer this question? The land which was allocated 10 lakhs and finally passed in the name of an establishment was not for the future of the children, but to fulfill some political plan. While living abroad, when I see and understand about the state-of-the-art schools and digital education, I am heartbroken by this news of the plight of my countrymen, brothers and sisters, and our children. Is it the children's fault their caste? Does their future matter? Why is the responsibility of the state and government silent towards children?

Leaders who talk about prosperous Nepal, have you seen the scene of these children sitting on the cold floor? Are your politics bigger than the tears of these innocent children? Today, not only the Dalit children, but the future of the entire country is becoming difficult on the cold ground. It is a story of shame and failure. State, please open your eyes, don't delay to save the future of these children. Leaders show action, not talk. Children's tears are more precious than your selfishness.

– Santosh Simkhada , Tokyo, Japan