Teachers’ protest enters 24th day: Vow to continue until Education Act is passed

KATHMANDU: The ongoing teachers’ protest in Kathmandu has entered its 24th day, and despite a Supreme Court order to return to work, the agitation shows no sign of stopping.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing the protesting teachers to return to school within three days.

However, Teachers’ Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi made it clear that the protest would continue. In a Facebook post, he stated, “Our fight is against the state’s insensitivity towards education, its disregard for teachers, staff, and students. It is a protest against the delay and conspiracy to obstruct the passage of a progressive School Education Act. Our actions and expressions should reflect this struggle.”

Notably, Subedi did not address the court order directly but reaffirmed the continuation of the movement.

The interim order was issued by a single bench of Justice Nahakul Subedi, instructing the concerned authorities to facilitate an environment for teachers to resume classes promptly.

The court stated: “The opposition body should take appropriate and necessary decisions regarding the immediate addressing of the legitimate and constitutional demands of the agitating teachers and ensure an environment for the agitating teachers to return to school and conduct regular classes within three days from the date of receipt of this order.”

The protest has delayed the start of the new academic session across many schools.

Concerned about the impact on students, advocate Shravan Kumar Chaudhary filed a writ petition, arguing that the prolonged agitation had jeopardized the students’ future. He requested the court to issue an interim order to restore a learning environment in schools.

The petition named six government bodies, including the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, as respondents. Acting on the petition, the Supreme Court ordered the reopening of schools in line with Chaudhary’s demands.

Despite the ruling, the teachers have maintained that they will not end their protest until the School Education Act is enacted.

Reiterating the call to action, Chairman Subedi urged supporters to gather at Maitighar Mandala, saying, “Our agitation continues. As always, please be present at Maitighar Mandala at exactly 11 AM.”