Govt anti-education, says ex-PM Khanal
KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and senior leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhala Nath Khanal, has strongly condemned the government’s suppression of the ongoing teachers’ protest, labeling it a reflection of the administration’s anti-education stance.
Speaking in solidarity at the protest site in Kathmandu on Monday, Khanal, along with party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal and other leaders, expressed full support for the teachers’ movement, which is nearing its one-month mark without a government response.
Khanal denounced the government’s inaction and use of force against educators, warning that failure to address their demands could trigger a larger public uprising. “If the government does not fulfill the teachers’ demands immediately, it should prepare to face another people’s movement,” he cautioned.
He called on the government to urgently pass and implement the Education Act, emphasizing that neglecting teachers’ voices reflects a dangerous level of misgovernance and chaos. “The refusal to listen to teachers is the peak of government misdirection and lawlessness,” he said.
Highlighting the need for stronger investment in education, Khanal urged the allocation of 20% of the national budget to the sector.
He noted that during his tenure as Prime Minister, 16% of the national budget was dedicated to education — a benchmark not matched by subsequent administrations.
Khanal stressed the importance of utilizing public tax revenue effectively, particularly for education reform, and reiterated that his party will continue to back the teachers’ movement until their demands are met.
