Nepal Delays Class 12 Exams Due to Teacher Protests
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Synopsis
Nepal has postponed its class 12 national exams from Thursday to May 4 due to ongoing protests by government school teachers who are boycotting the exam process until the School Education Bill is passed. The decision was made after a request from Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Key Takeaways
- Class 12 exams rescheduled to May 4.
- Teachers are protesting until the School Education Bill is passed.
- Approximately 550,000 students are affected.
- Government's initial plan to use civil servants was quickly revoked.
- Teachers' demonstrations disrupt critical academic tasks.
Kathmandu, April 23 (NationPress) The national examinations for class 12 in Nepal, initially set to begin on Thursday, have been delayed until May 4 due to ongoing protests by government school teachers who are boycotting the examination process until the School Education Bill is passed.
The National Examination Board (NEB) of Nepal convened a meeting on Tuesday evening and opted to postpone the exams after a request from Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, as reported by local media.
During discussions with Mahashram Sharma, the NEB chair, and Education Secretary Deepak Kafle, PM Oli suggested a delay of a few days, as reported by the leading Nepali newspaper, The Kathmandu Post.
"The examinations have been rescheduled by 10 days to May 4. The postponement was essential as teachers were unwilling to participate in the process," stated Krishna Prasad Sharma, examination controller at the NEB.
It is reported that approximately 550,000 students in Nepal are preparing to take the examination.
Previously, the board intended to proceed with the exams using civil servants and local units should the teachers continue their non-cooperation. However, this decision was rescinded within hours.
"The government attempted to intimidate us by declaring that civil servants would conduct the examinations. Yet, they could not maintain that stance for even a few hours. It’s reassuring that the government has overturned that decision. I caution them against making such foolish decisions in the future," remarked Nanu Maya Parajuli, co-chair of the Nepal Teachers' Federation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Teachers' Federation accused the district-level examination coordination committees and the NEB of coercing teachers and principals to assist with the grade 12 examinations.
Moreover, the Nepal School Employees Council has instructed all school personnel to shut down their respective schools and come to Kathmandu with the keys within 24 hours.
"Given the reports that school staff are being tasked with responsibilities such as student admissions, result publication, and involvement in the Grade 12 examinations during the ongoing movement, all relevant staff members are urged to participate in this significant movement currently occurring in Kathmandu by bringing the school keys within 24 hours of this notice," the council stated.
Recently, Nepal's Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai also resigned due to disagreements with PM Oli and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel regarding the demands of protesting teachers for perks and benefits, according to local media.
The teachers' protests and sit-ins in the Maitighar-Naya Baneshwor area of Kathmandu since April 2 have significantly disrupted the national enrollment drive and delayed critical academic activities, such as grading answer sheets from the recently conducted Secondary Education Examination (SEE).
The teachers defied government instructions to initiate student enrollment for the new academic year in Nepal, which began on April 15.
