Freed Kamlaries facing problem pursuing higher education

By Liladhar Oli Ghorahi, June 26: Freed Kamlaries have been facing trouble in pursuing higher education after the government cut the budget. The budget used to cover the cost of their higher education along with hostel facilities.

Organising a press conference at Ghorahi, in Dang, Kamlari Development Forum demanded the government provide budget for their education and dormitories.

For the last two years, the federal as well as the province governments have been cutting the budget which used to be set aside for them, they complained, stating that the local governments also do not cooperate with them regarding their higher education.

Manjita Chaudhary, former chairperson of the forum, said they had earlier signed 10-point agreement with the government which also include providing scholarship up to higher education. However, the government has failed to live up to the agreement, Chaudhary blamed.

Now more than 200 freed Kamlaries who have passed 12 grade are in financial trouble threatening to block their path to higher education. We will face no problem in our higher study if the government abides by the agreement, Chaudhary said.

Asha Chaudhary, a resident of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitancity-17, said that she has been facing hardships in continuing her higher education because of the authorities’ denial of scholarship for her higher education. Asha is doing her bachelor’s in management at Deukhuri Multiple Campus, Lamahi. Now, she is worried that she might have to discontinue her education for lack of money.

As Asha, Ankita Chadhary of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-4, is also facing similar problems. Demanding budget for her education, Ankita said it is very difficult to get employment just after completion of grade 12. 

Due to the lack of scholarships, 17 students staying at Lawajuni hostel have been facing financial hardships as they were dependent on the scholarship amount. Out of 36 students of the hostel, 17 used to cover their expenses from the scholarship. So, they are preparing for agitation to make the government address their demands.

Nirmala Chaudhary, secretary of Freed Kamlaries Development Forum, informed that a total of 277 Kamlaries from Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur have been affected from the government decision to discontinue providing scholarship. 

This decision of the government will hit its plan to rehabilitate freed Kamlaries with skills, secretary Chaudhary said.

According to the Forum, there are 12,669 freed Kamlaris across the country. Most of them are from Dang.

According to Chaudhary, 4,934 freed Kamlaris have been able to receive their identity cards, but 7,835 have yet to receive theirs.