KATHMANDU, April 25: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has requested the Election Commission (EC) to provide details regarding the central committee members of political parties.

According to the secretariat of MoEST, the request was made to facilitate the identification and action against teachers affiliated with political parties.

The secretariat explained that they had sought information on political parties’ working committees from the EC to confirm complaints about the affiliation of teachers with political parties and proceed with necessary actions.

The complaints and grievances were received in the MoEST alleging that teachers and staff in public schools are members of various political parties and hold positions in the central committees.

Sumana Shrestha, Minister for MoEST held discussions with Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya seeking the EC’s cooperation in implementing these actions.

The MoEST has already sent a formal letter to all education development and coordination units across the districts instructing them to take action against teachers or employees who are central committee members of political parties.

According to the secretariat, some district units have already taken action according to the correspondence.

The MoEST’s secretariat added that they rely on the support of all three tiers of government and stakeholders to fulfill the state's responsibility of providing effective and quality education by minimizing political interference in the education sector.