KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Expressing dissatisfaction with some of the provisions in the School Education Bill 2080 BS recently introduced by the government, government school teachers have started a protest centered on Kathmandu.
At the call of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, teachers from all over the country came to Kathmandu and gathered at Maitighar Mandala to stage demonstrations. They are carrying placards with slogans such as 'Stop abuse of school teachers', 'allocate 20 percent of the total budget in education'.
In Pictures: Second day of protest by govt teachers against Sch...
The federation has called for amendments to specific provisions contained in sections 71 to 88 of the bill. These provisions include restrictions on receiving donations, gifts, and support; prohibitions on establishing companies, engaging in business, serving elsewhere, participating in demonstrations, and going on strike. The federation also seeks to amend provisions related to property disclosures, responsible teaching, violations of rules and codes of conduct, salary suspensions for up to five years, promotion suspensions for five years, and teacher dismissals at the local level if one fails to disclose property.
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has made a 17-point demand like temporary teachers should be made permanent through internal examinations, ensuring permanent tenure, addressing temporary/contract issues, providing teacher training subsidies, supporting special education, appointing principals by the Teachers Service Commission.
Although the Ministry of Education called upon the protesting teachers for negotiation, teachers did not attend the talks.