Private schools warn of nationwide protests if Education Bill is not amended

KATHMANDU: Private school operators have warned of strong protests if the government fails to amend the School Education Bill, saying provisions in the draft legislation threaten the very existence of private institutions.

In a joint statement issued by the National Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation (N-PABSON) and the Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal (PABSON), the groups objected to provisions they said would undermine private schools and the quality of education.

Signed by PABSON Chairperson Tika Ram Puri and N- PABSON Chairperson Krishna Prasad Adhikari, the statement cautioned that schools could shut down and take to the streets if the provisions are not revised.

The organizations said the proposal to regulate private schools as not-for-profit was unacceptable, arguing that such measures run counter to the government’s own education policy and would ultimately degrade the quality of education.

They also demanded that the bill remove provisions imposing taxes on school-related materials, halt efforts to force registered schools into a non-profit framework, allow parents and schools to jointly decide on student admissions, and amend the existing law on fee determination to give private institutions greater autonomy.

As part of their protest plan, private school operators announced that from August 21, school owners across the country would stage demonstrations, including traffic blockades, near their institutions.

On August 25, they plan to gather at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu to submit a memorandum to the parliamentary committee on education, health, and technology. If their demands remain unaddressed, the groups warned that they would gradually close schools beginning August 31, escalating their agitation nationwide.

While stressing their preference for dialogue, the associations said they are prepared to intensify their movement if necessary. “We want to resolve this issue through dialogue and cooperation with the government. But if our just demands are not addressed, we will be compelled to use all protest options,” the statement declared.