KATHMANDU: Schools across Nepal remained shut today as the Nepal Teachers Federation began an indefinite general strike, demanding the immediate promulgation of the long-delayed School Education Act.
Thousands of teachers and school staff from all over the country have gathered in Kathmandu to express solidarity with the movement, which has been gaining momentum since protests began last Wednesday.
The Federation is pushing for a new bill that would address longstanding concerns related to job stability, promotions, and service facilities for teachers at all levels, as well as job security for school employees. These demands are rooted in previous agreements made with the government — agreements that educators say have gone unfulfilled.
A major point of contention is a provision in the proposed legislation that places teachers under the jurisdiction of local governments. Teachers argue that this would leave them vulnerable to increased political interference and are instead calling to remain under the federal structure.
During the strike, the Federation has instructed teachers to boycott all administrative and academic duties, including checking answer sheets, publishing results, participating in trainings, and joining educational tours or seminars.
According to the agreement reached on September 22, 2023, between the government and the Federation, teachers were promised promotion every 10 years and eligibility for promotion to the special category at the secondary level after a minimum of five years of service. Protesters say the government’s failure to implement these provisions has fueled growing discontent within the education sector.
As the strike begins, the future of hundreds of thousands of students remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for resolution.
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