Seven school girls committed suicide in Nepal after failing their School Leaving Certificate exams.
Two of the girls took their own lives in Kathmandu, according to the Republica daily, and another five in other parts of the country.
Children in Nepal must pass the SLC exam to attend college-level schools from age 16, a strict requirement which has earned the test the nickname of "iron gate."
Only 47 per cent of the nearly 420,000 children who took the exam achieved the 35-per-cent pass mark this year, down from 55 per cent in 2011.
Suicides among young women in Nepal in general have risen sharply in the past decade, becoming the leading cause of death for those aged 16 to 49, and prompting concern from the United Nations and other observers.
Girls commit suicide after failing exams
Seven school girls committed suicide in Nepal after failing their School Leaving Certificate exams.
Two of the girls took their own lives in Kathmandu, according to the Republica daily, and another five in other parts of the country.
Children in Nepal must pass the SLC exam to attend college-level schools from age 16, a strict requirement which has earned the test the nickname of "iron gate."
Only 47 per cent of the nearly 420,000 children who took the exam achieved the 35-per-cent pass mark this year, down from 55 per cent in 2011.
Suicides among young women in Nepal in general have risen sharply in the past decade, becoming the leading cause of death for those aged 16 to 49, and prompting concern from the United Nations and other observers.
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