Speaker Ghimire says teachers’ demands unfeasible during budget session

KATHMANDU: Speaker of Parliament, Devraj Ghimire, has stated that it will not be possible to address the teachers’ demands during the upcoming budget session.

This comes just a day after the Cabinet decided to address the teachers’ concerns during the session.

Speaking to News Agency Nepal in Jhapa on Wednesday, Ghimire explained that the focus of the budget session would be primarily on budget-related matters, leaving no room to address the teachers’ demands.

He emphasized that it would not be feasible to prioritize the Education Bill as the first agenda item during the budget session, as the session must prioritize budgetary issues.

“The budget session must prioritize budget-related matters. We cannot immediately address the Education Bill or other topics, as the budget must be presented by May 28 and passed by the end of June, adhering to the legal timeline,” Ghimire stated. He also pointed out that the session had been convened earlier with the Education Bill in mind.

Meanwhile, the government has called for a dialogue with teachers, stressing the importance of addressing their concerns.

However, the Teachers’ Federation, citing a lack of a reliable basis for a law, has urged teachers nationwide to gather at Maitighar and intensify their protest.

Ghimire urged the teachers to call off their protests, noting that the government had initiated the process of addressing their demands. He also pointed out that the teachers’ demands, which include salary increases and grade promotions, could place a significant financial burden on the state, making them unjustifiable.

“Such demands, which go beyond what the state can bear, are not reasonable,” said Ghimire. “However, the issue should be resolved through dialogue, balancing the country’s education system and economic capacity. Teachers have understood this reality.”