KATHMANDU – Thousands of teachers from across Nepal gathered in the capital on Saturday to demand the swift passage of the long-pending School Education Bill. Organized by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, the protest reignites a movement that had been put on hold following a six-point agreement with the government one-and-a-half years ago. Teachers allege that despite assurances, the government has shown reluctance in endorsing the bill in the ongoing parliamentary session.
The enactment of the School Education Act is crucial for implementing Nepal’s federal constitution, which aims to decentralize education. However, nearly a decade after the constitution came into force, the country still lacks the necessary legal framework.
Teachers Resume Protest Over Unfulfilled Agreement
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation, an umbrella body of various teachers’ unions, previously halted protests after signing an agreement with the government. The primary demand was to revise and implement the School Education Bill, ensuring job security and benefits for thousands of educators. However, with no progress on the agreement, the Federation resumed demonstrations, pressuring the government to act.
“Despite our patience, the government has ignored our demands for the past one-and-a-half years,” said Bidur Lamichhane, a teacher from Swapneshwari Secondary School in Kavre. “We are here for a one-day protest in view of the upcoming Secondary Education Examinations (SEE), but if our demands remain unaddressed, we will escalate our movement.”
Government’s Response: Commitment but Delays
Shiva Kumar Sapkota, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, refuted claims of negligence, stating that the delay in implementation is not due to bureaucratic inefficiency. “The government is fully committed to implementing the agreement reached with the teachers’ union,” Sapkota said. “However, we are looking for a long-term solution that aligns with existing laws, which takes time.”
The bill, once endorsed, is expected to establish a framework that will remain effective for several years, ensuring stability in the education sector.
The Demand for Job Security and Teacher Management Reform
Currently, around 200,000 individuals, including teachers and administrative staff, are employed in Nepal’s public schools. Among them, approximately 40,000 relief quota teachers are working on temporary contracts to fill gaps in community schools.
The relief quota teachers demand either permanent positions or eligibility to participate in internal competitions for job security. “We have traveled from Kalikot to demand the government’s sincerity in implementing the six-point deal,” said Surendra Bahadur Shahi, district president of the National Teachers’ Federation, Kalikot.
Previous Protests and Growing Pressure on the Government
Prior to Saturday’s demonstration, teachers had staged protests at local and provincial levels. On February 11, schools nationwide hosted discussions with students, parents, and school management committees to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle and its implications for education.
When the government introduced the bill in Parliament in September 2023, thousands of teachers took to the streets of Kathmandu, forcing negotiations that led to the initial agreement. However, the lack of follow-through on those commitments has reignited frustrations.
Why the Education Bill Matters
Experts emphasize that the passage of the bill is critical for implementing a decentralized education system. Deviram Bhusal, an accountant at Tyouda Secondary School in Kathmandu, pointed out the current inefficiencies in teacher distribution. “Some schools have more teachers than students, while others lack enough teachers. This bill will help address those imbalances,” Bhusal explained.
Furthermore, the bill’s passage would secure the rights of school employees. “There are 35,000 school staff across Nepal working for minimum wages because they lack permanent status,” Bhusal said. Currently, non-permanent school staff receive Rs13,500 from the federal government and an additional Rs6,500 from local authorities. While some schools provide extra salary based on qualifications, this is not a mandated practice due to the lack of a legal framework.
The primary question now is whether the government can allocate sufficient resources to meet the teachers’ demands. “While the government is positive about addressing these concerns, managing resources remains a key challenge,” said Ministry of Education spokesperson Sapkota.
For now, teachers across Nepal remain firm in their demand for immediate action. If the government does not respond soon, more protests may follow, adding pressure to an already strained education system.
For further updates on the situation, visit Nepal Monitor.
