Education Minister calls for dialogue as teachers’ protest nears one month

KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, has called for talks with protesting teachers as their movement demanding the passage of the School Education Bill, 2023, nears a month.

Teachers and staff from community schools have been agitating for 24 days, pressing the government to endorse the bill, which is currently under discussion in the parliamentary committee of the House of Representatives. The proposed bill aims to amend and unify laws related to school education.

Minister Pant, who assumed office on Thursday, urged representatives of the protesting teachers to participate in dialogue, expressing concern over the delay in passing the bill.

“The draft bill has been prepared through consultations with teacher representatives,” said Pant in a statement. “It is natural for teachers and staff to expect its timely endorsement.”

The Ministry of Education stated that it remains committed to safeguarding teachers’ rights and finding sustainable solutions. It also clarified that the legislative process will continue in accordance with legal procedures.

The ministry has proposed holding discussions soon with the Nepal Teachers Federation National Committee to resolve the ongoing dispute.