KATHMANDU: The Nepal Student Union (NSU) President Karuna Katuwal on Monday accused the government of interfering in university autonomy and weakening academic independence during its first 100 days in office.

Releasing a review of the government’s performance in the education sector at a press conference in Kathmandu, the NSU said the government violated the principle of separation of powers by introducing amendments affecting 15 universities simultaneously. It also criticized the decision to keep the appointment of vice-chancellors under the prime minister instead of establishing a proposed Board of Trustees, calling it a politically driven approach.

Katuwal described the government’s first 100 days as “100 days of lost opportunities” for education. She, however, welcomed the recovery of Rs 132.6 million from 398 Tribhuvan University professors who had remained on study leave while receiving state benefits.

The NSU also alleged that the government had failed to protect students’ fundamental rights and ensure education equity. While acknowledging efforts to shorten examination result publication to 40 or 60 days, it said the rushed process resulted in grading errors affecting a large number of students.