KATHMANDU: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel has said that student unions have been abolished in line with the government’s election manifesto.

Speaking with journalists at Singha Durbar on Friday, government spokesperson Pokharel said the issue had already been discussed during the election period and that the manifesto had been endorsed by the public, making further debate on maintaining student unions unnecessary.

The minister also said that complaints have been received regarding schools charging higher admission and annual fees than the prescribed standards.

He informed that discussions have been held with representatives of Municipal Association, Rural Municipality Federation and the Mayors’ Forum of the Kathmandu Valley on the issue.

He added that while the federal government is ready to support enforcement of standards and regulations if needed, it is primarily the responsibility of local governments to regulate such matters.

The concerned regulatory bodies, he said, must carry out their duties effectively from their side.