Kathmandu, Aug. 18 -- The girl had only asked a question.

Seema (name changed) was in grade 7 in Rithapata in Bhajang District, when her teacher first explained that human reproduction involved intercourse, embryos and how bodies work. She went home and asked her parents about it. Her father slapped her. Then he walked to the school and told the teachers they were teaching his daughter unnecessary things.

Sauriya Budhathoki, 17, a student at Divya High School in Kathmandu, had a different experience. She says she was lucky because of one teacher. A female English teacher at her school took it upon herself to go beyond the curriculum. "She told us that in her time, they weren't taught these things so she wanted us to learn about it early...