KATHMANDU: Tensions flared at a program organized by the Nepal Teachers Federation on Thursday, as school employees expressed strong dissatisfaction with the agreement reached between the government and the Federation the previous night.
The event, held at Ratna Rajya School in Kathmandu to brief stakeholders on the agreement, descended into dispute and confrontation.
A group of school employees, visibly angry, protested at the venue, claiming their demands were completely ignored in the deal signed by Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi and Education Minister Raghuji Pant.
The employees, who had already issued a public statement rejecting the agreement, confronted teacher leaders at the event, questioning both the content of the agreement and the legitimacy of the venue where the Federation’s meeting took place.
As the confrontation escalated, a heated altercation ensued, forcing the disruption of the scheduled review meeting.
Employees argued that their concerns—alongside those of teachers—were left out of the agreement. They particularly criticized the Federation for failing to represent non-teaching staff, who had also been participating in protest programs.
On the same day, the Nepal School Employees Council (National Committee) issued a formal statement condemning the agreement.
The Council objected to the deal and criticized the Federation for signing an accord that did not reflect the Council’s institutional stance on the protest movement.
“We strongly condemn the agreement reached by the Nepal Teachers Federation, which does not align with our officially endorsed protest agenda,” the Council’s statement read.
The Council also opposed the Federation’s decision to unilaterally withdraw from the protest on its 29th day without consulting all concerned stakeholders. It declared that it would soon announce further protest programs in response.
Comment