Teachers defy court order, vow to continue protest

KATHMANDU: Despite a Supreme Court directive, teachers protesting in Kathmandu for the past 24 consecutive days have refused to call off their movement.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered the protesting educators to return to schools within three days.

However, Laxmi Kishor Subedi, Chairperson of the Teachers’ Federation, made it clear that the protests would continue.

In a statement shared on social media, Subedi said, “Our struggle is against the state’s insensitivity towards education, the discriminatory treatment of teachers, staff, and students, and the conspiracy to delay the introduction of a progressive School Education Act. Our words and actions must reflect this.” Though he did not mention the court order directly, his message reaffirmed the decision to press on with the agitation.

Earlier on Thursday, a single bench of Justice Nakul Subedi issued an interim order instructing the striking teachers to resume school duties within three days.

The court emphasized that the concerned authorities must address the teachers’ legitimate and constitutional demands immediately to ensure that academic activities resume.

The ongoing protest has already delayed the start of the new academic session. Advocate Sharwan Kumar Chaudhary had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court, arguing that the uncertainty created by the strike was jeopardizing students’ futures. He named six government bodies, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, as defendants.

Still, the protesting teachers remain firm. They say they will not back down until the government enacts the long-awaited Education Act. Reiterating the call to action, Chairperson Subedi said, “Our protest continues. As always, join us at Maitighar Mandala tomorrow at exactly 11 AM.”

Despite a Supreme Court directive, teachers protesting in Kathmandu for the past 24 consecutive days have refused to call off their movement.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered the protesting educators to return to schools within three days. However, Laxmi Kishor Subedi, Chairperson of the Teachers’ Federation, made it clear that the protests would continue.

In a statement shared on social media, Subedi said, “Our struggle is against the state’s insensitivity towards education, the discriminatory treatment of teachers, staff, and students, and the conspiracy to delay the introduction of a progressive School Education Act. Our words and actions must reflect this.” Though he did not mention the court order directly, his message reaffirmed the decision to press on with the agitation.

Earlier on Thursday, a single bench of Justice Nahkul Subedi issued an interim order instructing the striking teachers to resume school duties within three days.

The court emphasized that the concerned authorities must address the teachers’ legitimate and constitutional demands immediately to ensure that academic activities resume.

The ongoing protest has already delayed the start of the new academic session. Advocate Sharwan Kumar Chaudhary had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court, arguing that the uncertainty created by the strike was jeopardizing students’ futures.

He named six government bodies, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, as defendants.

Still, the protesting teachers remain firm. They say they will not back down until the government enacts the long-awaited Education Act. Reiterating the call to action, Chairperson Subedi said, “Our protest continues. As always, join us at Maitighar Mandala tomorrow at exactly 11 AM.”