KATHMANDU: A meeting is underway between Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai and senior officials of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation at the Ministry of Education.
According to the minister’s secretariat, the talks began at 5 PM and include Secretary Deepak Kafle and two other ministry officials. Representing the federation are Vice Chair Nanumaya Parajuli and three other officials.
Under Secretary Neelkantha Dhakal, the ministry’s grievance officer, said the meeting has focused on exploring various options to address the teachers’ demands.
“The discussion is taking place in a careful and constructive manner. We hope today’s meeting will lead to some conclusions and that they will call off their strike from tomorrow,” said Dhakal. “The government has never taken a negative stance towards them.”
Teachers from across the country have been staging protests in Kathmandu since April 2, with a nationwide educational strike in place since Monday. The disruption comes at a critical time, as schools are preparing for the annual student enrollment drive.
Minister Bhattarai herself is a former teacher who transitioned into politics after leaving the profession.
Comment