Parents, teachers and NGOs in Nepal are gravely
concerned about the rising number of clashes between Maoist rebels and security
forces in or near places of learning.

Despite commitments by both the state and the rebels to avoid schools, human rights
groups say they are being increasingly targeted. "Both the state and rebels have to
think of the children first as they are the most vulnerable in such a violent
situation," said activist Gauri Pradhan.

Fears among parents intensified following an incident on 31 March when a rebel bomb
exploded at a school in Dailekh district - 400 km west of the capital Kathmandu -
leaving 12 students severely injured.

At the same time, the army regularly ignores its commitment to protecting schools,
rights groups charge. Government forces often use school premises as barracks and
this is why the rebels bomb them, parents have pointed out.

Security forces have been known to fire from helicopters at school buildings while
pursuing Maoist rebels, who sometimes organise cultural events in school compounds.

On 27 March, the army opened fire on a secondary school in Sindupalchok district, 80
km northwest of the capital, during one such Maoist programme. Local NGO, Human
Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee (HRTMCC) said that although no
pupils were physically hurt, they were left severely traumatised by the incident.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) office in Nepal has been particularly
critical of what appears to be the deliberate targeting of schools by both sides in
the conflict.

"Bombing and any other acts of violence on school premises are to be condemned.
Under international humanitarian law, parties to an armed conflict must not target
or endanger schools," said a statement by the children's organisation.

According to a report by local child rights group, Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN),
around 400 children have lost their lives in the decade-long conflict.[Source: IRIN]