BIKRAM RAI

The PLA's company commander Dil Bahadur Rokaya passed his SLC exam in first division. He was in grade nine when he joined the insurgency eight years ago. "I am happy. I want
to pursue higher studies," he said.

This year, 270 Maoist fighters passed SLC examination out of 380 examinees from Fourth Division. Why did so many Maoist fighters give the SLC exam? Some said they wanted to continue their education and some said to earn a degree, but most of them said they wanted to make use of their time in the cantonment.

According to Brigade Commander Saral Sahayatri, the PLA fighters decided to use their time productively after they were sent to cantonments when the peace accord was signed. He had made arrangements for tuition and other facilities for the PLA fighters within the cantonment from last year. He said those who passed the SLC exam last year
will pursue higher studies now.

The PLA spokesperson Baldev says educational qualifications could be one factor to qualify the combatants in integration.

Even Maoist CA members took exams under the program. CA member Gita Thagunna cleared SLC this year. However, rumour has it that some PLA fighters passed the exam without even appearing for it.

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