Kathmandu - All our selected media covered the news with images of protests that the Nepal Teachers Federation (NTF), that had preannounced a Capital-centered street protest from 2 April 2025, has executed it. The federation had held a relay hunger strike at the Education and Human Resource Development Center earlier. The NTF has demanded the immediate promulgation of the School Education Act, incorporating the six-point agreement with the government on 22 September 2023, even though an ordinance, or calling a Summer Session of the Federal Parliament, the news mentioned. According to the news, the Federation dismissed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST)'s call for talks through a press release.

Similarly, the federation has also issued a circular to its member teachers not to check exam sheets, including SEE, during the protest period, there was the news.

In an interview given to the Onlinekhabar news portal, former President of the NTF, Ms. Kamala Tuladhar, mentioned that teachers do not want to remain under the Local Governments (LG) because the elected representatives of LGs have behaved excessively biasedly  against the teachers in partisanship.

The statement of the NTF's last  president indicates that the NTF's movement implies  to change the constitutional system that places the authority of school-level education under the purview of local governments. The chairperson of the relevant parliamentary committee has repeatedly reiterated that the issues of teacher's career development and security will be a part of the Bill that is under discussion in the Parliament's Education Health and Information Technology Committee (EHITC) . It is unfortunate that NTF are staging protests while the discussion on the Bill is approaching towards conclusion. The Federation is not able to clarify who this movement is aimed at or who should address their demands. Since the Education Bill is under discussion in the Parliament, the government is not in position to decide the contents that should be covered in the Bill. What issues to be included in the Bill is now under a jurisdiction of Parliamentary process. Even  the Committee (EHITC)  only makes recommendations on the Bill to submit to the Parliament. Even the Committee cannot decide what should be passed by the Parliament. If the government is forced to accept the demands, no one can guarantee the provisions  will not go back  the way they were before in the Act that the Bill seeks to replace. Attempts to influence the Parliament and the jurisdiction of MPs even against the Constitutional provisions in the Education Bill is not consistent with the parliamentary system just by virtue of unionism and nexus with the leaders. In 2022 AD, the government signed an appeasement agreement under similar circumstances. It met public criticism that it was an unconstitutional deal.

It is the job of the sovereign parliament to create a situation where the government can work on long-term solutions to the problems faced by the citizens by enacting necessary laws without succumbing to undue pressure and influences from anyone. Without making any special efforts for a new Education Act for nine years after the enactment of Nepal's Constitution 2015, NTF is now attacking the rights of people's representatives in the name of teachers' dignity. The Federation's goal appears to influence the Parliament with the power of protest that brought the government to its knees last year after the Bill was introduced in the Parliament. Of course,  its their right to put a pressure  through appropriate methods and procedures. 

The government has reiterated that it is committed to meeting the demands of teachers by holding a meeting with the Chief Whips of the parties represented in parliament and the Chairperson of the EHITC. In  such a time, continuing to protest on the streets while refusing to engage in negotiations is not justified. Instead, it may be wise for the NTF to hold talks with the EHITC (and including the subcommittee), the National Assembly Chair, and the Speaker of the Parliament collectively, rather than just with the government. In a way, the current leadership of NTF can speak out for the rights and interests of currently working teachers, but some of the issues in the demand are morally unacceptable as they influence the future of education. Teacher leaders who are about to retire now cannot represent the teachers of the future. 'People cannot tolerate the kicks of cows and buffaloes that do not always give milk' as a proverb says. Everyone knows that the standard of education does not improve by meeting the facilities or demands of teachers. There have been no credible promises or plans put forward by teachers to improve public education.

Teachers make demands  that seek to breach constitutional boundaries such as unwillingness to be governed  under local governments, but have not spoken out about the issues such as the management of private schools.  It appears that they are seeking rents of their contribution for the change in the past. Their agitation at this time of the year is no more than encouraging parents to take children to private schools.  

This no way means that teachers should not be given affordable facilities. What the state also needs to understand is that such complications have arisen because of hiring human resource without providing adequate facilities in the past. The teacher shortage is sure to worsen in the coming days. Neither the state nor the teachers' side showed any concern in this matter. As far as their respect is concerned, it is not something that can be given. It is something that has to be earned. In a society that over values power, it is better not to equate pretentious respect  that teachers who impart wisdom  are expressed the same way.   It is deep true respect they are offered – almost to the level of faith.  Nobody can take that kind of respect away from a good teacher. Whether previous or this one, these movements have demonstrated the power of organized teachers, not  their respect. 

What is certain is that had they delivered results, parents would be rallying  behind the movement. Teachers' claims of facilities and dignity without being able to deliver results will surely collapse one day. They can hypothetically compare, had the private schools closed for so many days, there would be a havoc in the capital. Now the number alone is the power of teachers not their influence. 

Country now needs to get rid of incompetent teachers while maintaining the dignity of the rule of law that protects the rights of every citizen including the teachers. The Parliament needs to focus on enacting the necessary laws to brighten the future of education in a country in crisis, rather than just meeting the limited self-interested demands of teachers. The Federation should also consider that image of teachers are not to be portrayed as obstacles to the Education Act and the country's education reform. People can hope that teachers act wisely and also compel the government to act in due diligence. 

In a programme  on the School Education Bill, Mr. Amar Bahadur Thapa, Chairman of the Parliament's EHITC vowed his determination to draft an education act that is necessary to bring quality in education and asked teachers to abandon their agitation and return to their jobs, there was the news. He questioned 'why teachers who have been silent for so many years are now protesting when the Education Act is about to be promulgated?' the news quoted. According to the news, the Chair was reported further saying  that in any case, the upcoming law will no longer allow people to become teachers without going through a competition, that teachers will have to take refresher exams at certain intervals, and that they will no way be allowed to become party members. (His remarks provoked the teachers as an insult to their fraternity and met instant protest almost to the level of scuffle – Ed.) 

In the meantime, the parliamentary committee has formed an 11-member subcommittee under the Coordination  of MP Mr. Chhabilal Bishwakarma to discuss and reach to a consensus on controversial issues in the Bill, the news repeated this week also.

Some local governments have announced student-targeted awards before and during the School Education Examination (SEE) and the Basic Level Examination (BLE) in grade 8. Gorkha's Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality (RM) and Shaheed Lakhan RM, Makawanpur Gadhi RM Ward No. 6, and Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City Ward #17, among others, announced cash prizes for students who score highest marks in the SEE and BLE, there was the news. Similarly, Ward No. 6 of Makawanpur Gadhi RM also has provided USD 73 equivalent each to students participating in SEE for transportation and other  expenses, according to the Gorkhapatra.

Responsibility of creating  a necessary environment for quality of education lies with  Municipalities, while the Province and Federal Governments have to support it. The responsibility of providing subject-specific qualified teachers, physical infrastructure, and educational materials lies with all three tiers of government. Without paying attention to improve the quality of lower grades and to provide subject-specific teachers in the classroom to create an educational environment for 11 months after the start of the academic session,  results of exams will not improve by announcing  awards on the eve of exams.  Of course, students who are already destined to achieve good results will benefit from this but not others to work harder.  Such announcements may help create an illusion that municipalities are prioritizing the education, but they are not likely to improve the results. Without investment with coherent plans and policies by all three  layers of governments  and proper monitoring educational conditions will not improve.

Saraswati Secondary School in Chishankhu Gadhi RM, Okhaldhunga, has not got a science teacher despite calls for applications for the 12th time, there was a report.

There was news in Gorkhapatra titled 'Government school on paper, signboard on electricity pole'.  Although a signboard reads 'Shri National Primary School, Bishnupur Village Development Committee, Khur Huriya (North Tole), Established 2067' is hung on an electricity pole on the banks of the Pampanahar in Ward 4 of Rupani RM, Saptari, there is a four-room hut with  brick walls and a corrugated metal-sheet roof looking like an animal shed . The news quoted that there are no students, teachers, or staff in the 'barn'. The municipality's record shows a National Primary School on that name with two teachers and 63 students, quoted the news.

Teachers, students and parents of Siddheshwar Secondary School (SS) in Hukke Danda, Patan Municipality, Baitadi, collected USD 2,300 equivalent  by playing Holi (festival of colors) for four days. The school had raised USD 12,600 from Holi and Deusi-bhailo (singing and dancing during Tihar festival – somewhat similar to Xmas carol) from 2014 BS to 2025 BS to cover the salaries and allowances of six subject-specific (so called 'privately sourced') teachers   mathematics, science, and social studies, report published in the Gorakhapatra.

The encroached land of Mahendra Kiran SS in Simpani, Manahari RM, Makawanpur, has begun to be returned; there are no students at Manahari Multiple Campus; teachers at public schools in Khandachakra Municipality, Kalikot, have started a protest for not receiving their salaries and allowances for six months, there were other municipality reladed news around education.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) is considering changing the training module, concluding that the training provided to teachers is insufficient, published the news. In another news, according to Nepal Television, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has received  ceiling of USD 424 million budget for the coming fiscal year  while therewas USD1.5 billion for the current fiscal year.

There is news that the Ministry of Education will issue Foreign Study Permits (NOCs) only for seven universities of Cyprus. After monitoring by the Nepali Embassy, the Ministry has reached to the conclusion that NOCs will be issued only to study at certain universities in Cyprus.

Turning to higher education: Tribhuvan University (TU)'s Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Dr. Keshar Jung Baral has resigned from the post just after a year. .  Prof Baral, who was the second out of three names recommended by the TU Vice-Chancellor Selection and Recommendation Committee, was appointed by the then Prime Minister Chancellor Pushpa Kamal Dahal on February 22, 2024. The tenure of the appointment is for four years. According to a report in Gorkhapatra, the main reason for Prof Baral's resignation was the problem of temporary and contract teachers and employees of TU. There was news that Prime Minister Chancellor KP Oli had not been cooperating with him from the very beginning, because he was appointed as the VC under Mr Dahal's influence. Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai said she is not aware of  Prof Baral's resignation, quoted the news. (Resignation was not submitted through the Co-Chanceller Minister Bhattarai as is normally done. – Ed)_

There was the news that the Dean's office has been padlocked after 68 percent of students studying at the Central Department of Education at TU failed in the third semester results.
Nepal Student Union (NSU), a sister organization of the ruling party Nepali Congress, has padlocked the Service Commission Office of Purbanchal University (PU). NSU has claimed that the advertisement for the promotion to the post of Associate Professor is not legal. Similarly, there is news that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between PU and Purdue University of the United States for academic, research, and administrative cooperation.

Contending candidate Prof. Dr. Subodh Sharma has written a Letter to Editor to the Kantipur demanding that the marks obtained by the candidates for the post of VC of Kathmandu University be made public.

The EHITC of the House of Representatives has directed the government to bring the Khwapa University Bill to the Parliament. Similarly, the Shaheed Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences Bill has been passed by the Committee, there was the news.

Six professors and researchers from Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology have been given  research scholarships of  more than USD 20,000 in various fields.
The International Conference of VCs concluded in Lumbini, issuing a ten-point declaration, including ensuring uniformity of curricula in Nepal's universities and enhancing the quality of higher education. VCs of universities from Nepal and India participated in the conference, the news mentioned.

There was the news that the Faculty of Buddhist Studies of Lumbini Buddhist University has discussed the issue with local people's representatives of Lumbini for a campaign Buddhism education in schools.

Deepak Raj Joshi of NSU elected as the President of TU Central Campus Kirtipur Free Students' Union (FSU) and Govinda Koirala of the NSU has been elected as the President of the Trichandra Campus FSU. (Presidents of these establishments follow a leadership line in the Mother Party. – Ed)

Ms Kanti Poudel wrote a Letter to Editorial in Kantipur, expressing the idea that students' opinions and thoughts will create special leaders who can build the country along with the university, mentioning FSU election of TU. 

There was the news of a dispute between the Gandaki Provincial Government and the Gandaki University (established by the Province) after the process of making  positions of professors and employees' under contractual appointment into permanent appointment was moved forward, evading open competition.

Students who have passed the entrance exam for postgraduate (PG) of medicine studies have been protesting after the Medical Education Commission (MEC) initiated the 'matching' (matching with available seats and merit list of the entrance exam) process only for available seats in postgraduate courses in government medical colleges. Students protested after the number of seats was reduced from 1,496 to 670, the news published. According to the news, Private Medical Colleges (PMC) have decided not to pursue PG studies, expressing disagreement with the government's decision to provide a subsistence  allowance of USD 348/month to Resident Doctors. The Commission has initiated the matching process only for government medical college seats after PMCs refused, mentioned the news. The Supreme Court has ordered the MEC to stop PG matching, there was the news. The commission has also issued a statement stating that the matching process has been stopped, the news covered.

There has been a long-running tug-of-war between the MEC and PMCs over the issue of subsistence allowance. PMCs have refused to provide the prescribed amount by the government and offer PG courses for free. As an alternative, PMCs have said that the PG students should make an 'bond' to work for two years at the medical college they attended after their studies, just like the government. Or PMCs have demanded that the government increase the number of seats allocated to foreign students to meet the prescribed subsistence allowance. 
The government has instructed the PMCs to provide a living allowance of Rs 25,000 for the first year, Rs 30,000 for the second year, and Rs 35,000 for the third year to the PG students and The proposal of PMCs have not been implemented due to the protest by students pursuing PG degrees. However, students who have passed the PG entrance exam say that a two-year contract is indeed the most suitable option.

If the government also enters into an agreement with PG students to work at the place they are assigned for two years after completing their studies in lieu of free education, it would be appropriate,  PMCs provide with the same subsistence allowance as the government and provide free PG education under a two-year contract scheme. This will create a buzz for Nepal as a country that offers free PG courses in medicine, and it can also be a meeting point between students who have passed the entrance exam, the government, and private medical colleges. It is important to consider that current leaders of the students now in their second or third year of PG studies, do not represent the issues of new students, and they should not  be making noise in the name of those who are yet to be admitted.

Private and Residential Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON) has made its three-year action plan public. The action plan, includes making all necessary efforts to maintain the arrangement of private schools being owned by companies in the forthcoming School Education Bill, school teachers and employees of all private school to be included in the Social Security Fund, Coordination for the implementation of the Supreme Court's directive on reserved scholarships, among other issues, mentioned the news.

The District Education Development and Coordination Unit, Lamjung, distributed permanent  appointment letters by teacher leaders close to the major parties to 49 primary level third-grade teachers who had passed the Teachers Service Commission's examination and were recommended for the post.

Purpose of this news review is to classify and synthesize the educational content of the week and provide objective comments from the point of view of social justice and creative pedagogy including the environment. It is aimed to the policy makers and stakeholders to help make informed decisions. In this joint effort of the Center for Educational Policies and Practices (CEPP) and EduKhabar, material from daily newspapers - Kantipur, Gorkhapatra and The Himalayan Times, online news portals - Online Khabar, Setopati and Ratopati and the 8 o'clock news of Nepal Television and 7 o'clock news of Himalaya Television is summarized and presented with commentary on relevant issues. We have covered the contents from 22 March- 4 April 2025 in this issue - The Editor.

Read last two week's analysis in Nepali : शिक्षकले सरकारलाई ‘घुँडा टेकाउने’ !? : एक विश्लेषण [भिडियो सामग्री]

शिक्षकले सरकारलाई ‘घुँडा टेकाउने’ !?

सुधारमा भन्दा पुरस्कार घोषणामा तछाडमछाड ! [विश्लेषणात्मक भिडियो सहित]

Read last week's content : Last week in education