KATHMANDU: Students have launched a protest against the commercialization of education and the violation of their constitutional right to education.

On Wednesday evening, student activists affiliated with the All Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary), aligned with the CPN (Majority), burned effigies of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Education Minister Raghuji Panta.

The protest took place on the road section from Dillibazaar to Singha Durbar.

According to the organization’s secretary, D.B. Shahi, the protest was part of preparations to make the nationwide educational strike, scheduled for Shrawan 2 (July 18), a success.

The students accused the government of violating Article 31 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to education as a fundamental right.

They also alleged that education is being pushed toward privatization and commercialization, and that educational mafias and brokers are being protected.