Ongoing Protests in Nepal for School Education Bill Approval
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Synopsis
The Nepal Teachers' Federation continues its protests in Kathmandu, demanding the endorsement of the School Education Bill. Despite assurances from the Prime Minister and Speaker, educators are determined to press their demands as the government plans a parliamentary session to address their concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Protests by Nepal Teachers' Federation ongoing.
- Demand for School Education Bill approval.
- Parliamentary session on April 25 planned.
- Teachers accuse bureaucracy of misleading information.
- Protests disrupting national enrollment drive.
Kathmandu, April 20 (NationPress) The Nepal Teachers' Federation persisted with their demonstrations on Sunday in Kathmandu, advocating for the approval of the School Education Bill, as reported by local media.
Despite recent commitments from Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, the federation has resolved to maintain their protests.
The Nepal government has recently agreed to address the teachers' demands, with plans to hold a parliamentary session on April 25 to pass the School Education Bill, according to a report from the prominent Nepali newspaper, The Kathmandu Post.
On Friday, PM Oli convened a meeting with leaders of the Confederation of Nepalese Teachers (CNT) to seek resolutions for the ongoing teachers' unrest centered in Kathmandu.
He urged the teachers' representatives to end their protests and pledged that the government would do its utmost to fulfill their demands.
"An early session of the House was called to deliberate on the bill. However, I cannot specify the exact date for its endorsement as the legislature has the final say," Oli remarked, as per a meeting participant.
Later that evening, Speaker Ghimire met the educators and assured them he was prepared to expedite the voting process for the bill.
"The Speaker indicated he would facilitate a vote on the bill the very next day it is introduced in the House of Representatives," stated Nanu Maya Parajuli, co-chair of the federation and leader of the struggle committee.
Nevertheless, the federation chose to maintain their protest, although they described the discussions with Oli and Ghimire as constructive.
"While the meetings with the Prime Minister and the Speaker were encouraging, we have opted to continue our symbolic protest on Sunday. We will gather on Sunday to determine our next steps," Parajuli added.
Thousands of teachers sustained their protests as usual on Saturday afternoon and resolved to carry on their demonstrations for several hours on Sunday.
"Our protests are not against the government. We are advocating solely for the new Act," Parajuli emphasized.
Additionally, the teachers accused Nepal's bureaucrats of misleading the Prime Minister and ministers regarding the delays in addressing their demands.
"The bureaucracy falsely reported that it would cost Rs 200 billion to meet our demands. In reality, the expenses would not exceed Rs 13 billion. A speedy resolution is possible if everyone collaborates sincerely," stated one of the federation's officials.
Reports indicate that the teachers' protests and sit-ins in the Maitighar-Naya Baneshwor area of Kathmandu since April 2 have significantly disrupted the national enrollment campaign and delayed critical academic activities, such as the evaluation of answer sheets from the recently conducted Secondary Education Examination (SEE).
The teachers defied governmental orders to commence student enrollment for the new academic year in Nepal, which began on April 15.
Earlier this week, the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal expressed grave concern regarding the ongoing protests and urged all parties to resolve the situation through dialogue.
