Nepal medical students protest high fees

Medical students in the Nepal capital staged protest in front of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) against exorbitant fees charged by medical colleges under the Tribhuvan University (TU) for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Scores of students from six private medical colleges from different parts of Nepal demanded that the IoM take necessary steps against those colleges that are charging fees above the university’s ceiling. The TU executive council on March 26 reduced the total fee for the degree to Rs2.2mn from Rs3.1mn. It included the tuition, along with admission, library, practical and examination charges. However, the medical colleges have charged an additional fee up to Rs1.7mn under the headings of library, practical and examination fees. The medical colleges’ failure to comply with the fee structure set by the university prompted students to resort to the protest. The Doctors Society of Nepal (DSON), an association of medical doctors, has been pressing the IoM to take necessary steps for the effective implementation of the fee structure set by the TU. According to DSON general secretary Dr Toshima Karki, the medical colleges have asked students to deposit an additional amount ranging from Rs1mn to Rs1.7mn. “We want the IoM and the education ministry to take necessary steps to end the syndicate of the medical colleges. The onus lies with the two government entities to ensure the colleges under them follow the decision to the letter,” Dr Karki said. As per the TU executive council decision, the MD students have to pay 50% of the total fee in the first year and 25% in the second and third year respectively.Students protest against Indian lawmaker’s remark: Nepal Students Union (NSU) yesterday protested against the remark made by Kirti Azad, a lawmaker from India’s ruling BJP. The lawmaker had made the statement when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to Nepal. A team led by NSU general secretary Kundanraj Kafle yesterday demonstrated in front of Tri Chandra Campus. The NSU protested against the remark made by the Indian lawmaker saying Janakpur should be brought back to India, insult of National flag of Nepal and insult of Nepali army by bringing Indian army during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s Nepal visit. NSU leader Deepak Bhattarai said that the NSU organised protest after the government turned deaf ear towards the statement of Chief Minister of province-2, prohibition of entry of Nepali media at Muktinath, and border encroachment. Similarly, NSU vice-president Ram Prasad Adhikari said that the government should be serious towards the issue as the intention of the remark made by the Indian lawmaker was to ruin the age-old relation between Nepal and India, saying the remark was direct attack on Nepal’s sovereignty. NSU said that it would continue the agitation until the Indian lawmaker apologises over the remark.