Teachers’ protest escalates as demands ignored; schools nationwide to shut down

KATHMANDU: As the teachers’ protest in Kathmandu enters its third week without any government response, frustration among educators is rising sharply.

The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has announced a nationwide school closure, intensifying its ongoing movement.

The Federation has instructed all community school teachers and staff across the country to suspend teaching activities and join the protest.

Teachers have also been requested not to take up roles as invigilators, exam center chiefs, or supervisors during the Grade 12 board exams starting from Baisakh 11.

Currently, thousands of teachers are participating in sit-ins and rallies from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwar in the capital. The Federation plans to expand the protest further. “The government’s indifference to our demands has forced us to take a tougher stand,” said protest leader Nanumaya Parajuli during a recent demonstration.

The protest is expected to significantly disrupt the Grade 12 exams, the marking and publication of SEE (Grade 10) results. “Exams must not be halted—putting the future of 500,000 students at risk is unacceptable,” said Dr. Mahashram Sharma, Chairperson of the National Examination Board.

The Federation has also called on private school organizations like PABSON and NPABSON to join the movement, indicating that the protest may soon impact the private education sector as well.

According to the Federation, the proposed Education Act must address the rights of private school teachers too.

Since Chaitra 20, over 80,000 teachers have participated in daily protests in Kathmandu, with more than 235,000 teachers and staff from around 26,000 public schools nationwide now involved.

Although the protests have remained peaceful, the National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about the impact of prolonged school closures on children’s education. It has urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue as soon as possible.

In response, the government has decided to convene a federal parliamentary session on Baisakh 12, considering the mounting pressure and impact on students. Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai said that serious discussions on the Education Act are underway.

However, Federation President Laxmi Kishore Subedi said, “Merely calling a parliamentary session is not enough. There must be a firm commitment to pass the Education Act—otherwise, the movement will not stop.”