KATHMANDU: The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has warned of launching a fresh round of protests if the government fails to pass the long-awaited School Education Bill in the House of Representatives without further delay.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi and General Secretary Tul Bahadur Thapa Magar said the agreement reached with the government on April 30 must be honored, stressing that the bill should be passed without further postponement.
The bill is currently under discussion in the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House. However, several key issues, including the future of private schools and the integration of relief teachers, remain unresolved.
The Federation urged the government to immediately present and pass what it called a “progressive” School Education Bill that incorporates previous agreements with teachers and stakeholders.
“There is no room for delay or conspiracy in this matter,” the statement said. “If there is any kind of delay or sabotage, the Nepal Teachers’ Federation will be compelled to resume its agitation.”
The Federation also called on the government to remain alert and responsible to avoid the consequences of potential unrest and public dissatisfaction.
Earlier this year, the Federation had staged a 29-day protest in Kathmandu.
That movement was paused after an agreement was reached on April 30, under which the government committed to passing the bill by June 29.
However, with that deadline now missed, the Federation says the teaching community is losing trust in the government’s assurances and is growing increasingly frustrated.
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