With the government unable to provide security to schools that wanted to defy a 8-14 December closure called by a pro-Maoist student union, most schools all over Nepal (even international schools in Kathmandu) remained closed this week. Talks between the student union, parent reps, school teachers and the government failed to find a way out. Not surprising given the nature of the 15 demands put forward by the students' group which included return of Nepali territory occupied by "foreign powers", free secondary education, nationalisation of private schools, banning the national anthem and the teaching of Sanskrit.

The Private and Boarding School Organisation, Nepal (PABSON) says it's had enough. It will not abide by future threats to close schools. It is seeking support of all parents, teachers, students and school authorities to ensure education is not disrupted. It has also called upon national and international human rights agencies to monitor such threats. Among the Maoist demand is nationalisation of private schools, which presently accounts for the education of about 1.5 million students and employment for over 75,000 teachers and administrative staff.