Bhatta, a fifth grader, said, "Exams are just round the corner and I have a lot to study. I don't understand why we are not being allowed to study peacefully," said Bhatta, before heading back to her village.
Regular classes in Dhangadhi and surrounding districts have been affected for over three months due to protests and the ongoing Indian blockade. The education institutions in most parts of the country have been struggling to hold classes in view of the ongoing demonstrations and the fuel crisis, which show no signs of receding.
Not just the education sector but the prevailing state of uncertainty is deeply affecting the psychology of school-going children.
The fear that they would have to appear in the exams even before their courses are fully covered has become a major headache for the students. "The situation is beyond our control. The demonstrators have warned us to keep schools shut. As of now, I cannot even say when the classes will resume," said a school staff.
District Education Officer of Kailali, Ganesh Bahadur Singh, feels the shutting down of schools has left the students in lurch. "It is affecting their studies and ultimately their future," said Singh.
Students in grade eight and 10 are the ones who are most worried as they are set to appear in their upcoming board and the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams without much support and guidance of their teachers.
"The demonstrators should understand that they are putting our future at stake," said Sidhartha Kapadi, a grade 10 student.
"Self study is not always helpful. We need the guidance of our teachers. To be honest, I cannot read at home," said Alina Pokharel of Bishalnagar of Dhanpa VDC-3. Pokharel is a grade 10 student at Sharada Higher Secondary School in Dhangadhi. According to Sanjay Chaudhary, a local book shop owner, "They need to understand that the future of these students will be in jeopardy if such protests continue."
Related story
Chepang students go to school barefoot in freezing cold
