KATHMANDU: The government is set to resume discussions with agitating teachers from community schools today, following two inconclusive rounds of talks held on Thursday.
Despite the efforts made during the meetings at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday, Kamal Giri, Press Adviser to Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, stated that a positive outcome had not yet been achieved.
The dialogue involved representatives from various political parties who supported the teachers’ cause, including Kamala Tuladhar, President of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation. On the government’s side, key figures such as Home Minister Shrestha, Education Minister Ashok Rai, Education Secretary Suresh Adhikari, and Kathmandu Chief District Officer Jitendra Basnet were present.
The registration of the Federal Education Bill in the House of Representatives sparked teachers’ protest- currently centering federal capital Kathmandu since Wednesday.
The Federation has the demand that the authority to transfer, promote and take action against teachers should not be given to the local level.
They present a charter of 17-point demand including trade union rights to teachers.
As a result of teachers’ protest, community schools across the nation presently remain closed.
Home Minister Shrestha reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to resolving the teachers’ concerns, acknowledging their impact on the entire education sector.
He also pledged to address the legitimate demands of the teachers and expressed willingness to engage with other ministries to explore potential solutions.
Despite the constructive tone of the discussions, an agreement to end the ongoing protest could not be reached. Consequently, all community schools remained closed on Thursday due to the teachers’ strike.
They have declared an indefinite nationwide school closure, which began on Thursday, affecting the education of over 7 million students across the country.
Comment