Grokha: The Gorkha District Administration Office (DAO) has directed District Education Officer Nanda Lal Poudel to take action against a school for not providing scholarships to deserving students.

This is the second time in three days that Chief District Officer Kamal Prasad Bhattarai asked Poudel to take action against Shakti Higher Secondary School. Bhattarai resorted to the move after a Grade 11 student lodged a complaint with the DAO recently, demanding a scholarship from the school.

The Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) had recommended four students, all in Grade 11, for scholarships from the school. However, headteacher at the school, Nirajbabu Bhattarai, has been accused of having compelled students to sign a document reading that they no more need the scholarship.  The students should have received Rs 9,000 each as scholarships once enrolled in Grade 11.

“We will take action against the school if it is necessary as per Education Act,” said Poudel.  

Meanwhile, a meeting of the school management committee decided not to reimburse the money the students spent for their admission to the school. It has further been revealed that the daughter of Bipin Chandra Dhalak, chairman of the school management committee, has been provided with a scholarship under Dhalak’s influence.

A source said that Barsha, also a  student of Grade 11, received a scholarship after the HSEB approved her name. The source claimed that Dhalak, with Nirajbabu’s help, had filled up the scholarship form.

source: The Kathmandu Post,12 Sept 2012