The Maoist affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) has demanded to nationalize the education till grade 12 by providing compensation to all private educational institutes.

Speaking at a programme organized by Martin Chautari in the capital on Friday, Chairman of ANNISU-R Lekhnath Neupane said, “Education should not widen the gap between the rich and the poor,” adding, “Education and health are the basic needs of the people and it is the government’s responsibility to provide free education and free health facilities.”

He also said that the feudal education system has only produced self-centred individuals, who are not concerned about the country and its citizens.

“We are not expecting results overnight but we at least expect some kind of commitment from the government on free and qualitative education to all till grade 12,” he said.

Referring to the federal system of government, he said women and Dalits should be given special rights for proportionate representation in the state mechanism.