KATHMANDU: As the teachers’ protest enters its third week, pressure is mounting on the government to take decisive action.
The movement, spearheaded by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, has drawn thousands of teachers from across the country to Kathmandu with a single-point demand: the immediate passage of a progressive School Education Act that upholds earlier agreements with the government and ensures the dignity and rights of educators.
The teachers began their protest on April 2, vowing to continue until the government brings forth an Education Act that is friendly to schools, students, and staff alike.
Their main concern is that despite previous commitments, the government has delayed legislation that directly impacts their professional rights, job security, and the future of public education in Nepal.
In the face of these growing protests, the ruling partner Nepali Congress has taken steps to engage with the teachers and mediate a resolution.
While Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s administration has been criticized for its slow response, the Nepali Congress leadership has been more proactive, initiating a series of meetings and internal discussions in support of the teachers’ concerns.
Just three days after the protests began, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba called Federation President Laxmikishore Subedi and other representatives to his residence in Budhanilkantha for dialogue.
During the meeting, Deuba directly phoned Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, urging him to take the demands seriously and find a solution through inter-ministerial coordination.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar, and Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel were also present, signaling a collective commitment to de-escalate the growing crisis.
Following Deuba’s intervention, General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Biswa Prakash Sharma were instructed to intensify efforts within the party.
On April 14, the two leaders met with a group of leading teachers at the Nepali Congress central office, where they expressed solidarity with the movement and pledged to raise the issue within the party and the parliament.
That same evening, a strategic meeting was held at the parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar, bringing together key figures including Education Department Chief Nain Singh Mahar, Joint General Secretary Pariyar, party members of the bill subcommittee Dig Bahadur Limbu and Mahendra Raya Yadav, and Chief Secretary Paudel.
The meeting concluded with a plan to hold broader discussions with education experts and stakeholders to develop the party’s formal position on the School Education Bill, which remains under discussion in a subcommittee.
The Education Department, led by Mahar, has since been entrusted with the responsibility of resolving the 28 points of contention within the bill.
According to Mahar, substantial progress has been made, with consensus achieved on 92 points. However, the remaining issues still pose a significant challenge to passing the bill swiftly.
In an interview with Khabarhub, Mahar confirmed that the department is working diligently to finalize the party’s stance, which includes balancing the legitimate demands of teachers with broader national education goals.
“We are fully active in developing a party vision that ensures justice for teachers and improves the quality of education,” he said. “From the party president to the education department, we have made efforts at every level.”
Mahar also revealed that President Deuba had spoken directly with Prime Minister Oli regarding the demands, while further discussions had been held with Finance Minister Paudel and Education Minister Bidhya Bhattarai. These ongoing communications, he said, are a sign that the party is committed to playing a constructive role in resolving the crisis.
Despite calls from the government to suspend protests due to the sensitive academic calendar—including the start of a new school year, SEE answer sheet evaluation, and the upcoming Grade 12 examinations—teachers have remained firm. They argue that their demands are long overdue and that no compromise should be made without formal legislation.
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation, through social media and press statements, has maintained that the protest will only end with the enactment of a School Education Act.
In a Facebook post, Federation President Subedi reiterated that the protest has reached a “decisive point” and warned supporters against falling for rumors or distractions. He called on teachers across the country to intensify their participation and stand united in the movement.
According to Education Department Chief Mahar, the protests underscore a deeper issue: the lack of respect and adequate support for educators.
“Without ensuring self-respect and financial security for teachers, we cannot expect quality education in the classroom,” he said. “The state must be proactive in facilitating teachers, not just with policies, but with a genuine commitment to their well-being.”
Mahar warned that the failure to address the protest meaningfully could lead to long-term consequences. “If teachers are disheartened and ignored, we will not only damage our education system but also the future of our citizens. Producing qualified, capable citizens requires investment in and respect for teachers.”
The government has called a budget session starting from April 25, partly to facilitate the passage of the School Education Bill. It remains to be seen whether this session will deliver on the hopes of the protesting teachers—or whether the stalemate will continue.
For now, all eyes are on the federal parliament and the political will of its leaders, especially the Nepali Congress, whose actions in the coming days may shape the future of Nepal’s education system.
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