Teachers’ Federation launches nationwide protest against Education Bill

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has begun a nationwide protest today, accusing the government of ignoring their demands while moving forward with the School Education Bill 2080.

The federation argues that the bill undermines teachers’ professional security and rights, despite earlier agreements with the government.

Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi said they were compelled to take to the streets after the bill, tabled in the House of Representatives on Bhadra 6, failed to incorporate past commitments. “This bill directly weakens teachers’ job security, benefits, and rights. Until our demands are met, we cannot withdraw from this struggle for quality education and teachers’ dignity,” Subedi declared.

Earlier in Baisakh, the federation had staged a month-long protest, which was suspended after a nine-point agreement with the government. However, the union claims that the current bill has completely disregarded those commitments.

The federation has demanded full implementation of agreements reached with the government in 2075, 2078, 2080, and 2081/82.

Key demands include revising the teacher recruitment quota from the current 60% internal and 40% open competition to 75% internal and 25% open; periodic promotions; renewal of expired teaching licenses; proper pay scales and quotas for school staff; job security for early childhood teachers; professional protection for teachers in private institutions; and allowances for teachers affected during the conflict.

The federation has also strongly opposed the provision in the bill that transfers teacher quotas to local governments.

Protest Programs

The agitation has been divided into two phases. In the first phase, the federation submitted memorandums today to the Prime Minister, Education Minister, and chief whips of major political parties.

From Bhadra 11 to 20, teachers will hold two-hour sit-ins at political party headquarters, municipalities, and district coordination committees across the country.

If demands remain unaddressed, the second phase of protest will begin on Bhadra 21, featuring nationwide sit-ins, disruption of educational institutions, and mass demonstrations.