Kathmandu Model Secondary School (KMC), a well-established educational establishment in Bagbazaar, Kathmandu, has received a lot of publicity, after multiple students have brought forth allegations of mistreatment, harassment and abuse. The issue spread across Nepal on 18 September 2023, from a viral Reddit post entitled “Kathmandu Model College’s CI Staff Humiliate and Physically Assault Students,” which told a story of how school staff, but especially staff who were “Counselling Incharge” (CI), abused students on the pretense of having discipline.
Since then over 200 online posts and confessions on places like Reddit and TikTok, have uncovered disturbing patterns of physical punishment, public humiliation, verbal abuse, and intrusive body checks. Students reported being slapped, pulled by their hair, and verbally berated for small infractions such as forgetting an ID card or using lip balm. Girls stated that their bodies are continuously monitored and they were not allowed basic hygiene items. They also highlighted inappropriate comments about their looks. Residents of the hostel reported extreme mental pressure, and stated some had been forbidden from communicating with their families without time supervision.
Mental health experts say that these behaviors are damaging and based on outdated, patriarchal forms of discipline. Repeatedly subjecting students to this type of behavior will harm their emotional development leading to anxiety, depression, and self-harm.
When the college first heard the allegations, senior administrators claimed the anonymous posters were "academically weak" or "mentally unwell". However, after student outrage over the matter was raised, two CIs named in multiple complaints not only got a temporary suspension but eventually were fired. Despite these actions, many students say the college has not acknowledged the broader culture of fear and punishment that exists within its system.
In response to the online backlash, the college has formed a new student committee to handle grievances and claimed that the situation has been resolved. Yet students are claiming these changes are mere rhetoric and do not address the root issues of the college's systems; and even more concerning is that in response to students being anonymous on social media, the college is involving the Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau to investigate the students behind the posts. The environment this kind of investigation is creating for students is fear, as so many students are either deleting their confessions or simply feel that they need to be quiet.
Mental health and education professionals are advocating for additional change and reform. They assert mutual respect and emotional support should also be included when we discuss issues around discipline, or simply control, be that physical or psychological. Educationist, Dr. Amina Singh stated that institutes need to rethink their conception of discipline, moving from the rigidity of fear-based institutional systems towards supporting learners’ well-being first, and ensuring student agency and clear guideline whilst also working toward student self-discipline.
While the college states that they have resolved the matters, students and experts indicate that if any real change is going to happen it needs to come through self-reflection, accountability and commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive learning context.
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