KATHMANDU, July 1: The Nepal Teachers’ Federation (NTF) has warned of fresh protests if the government fails to implement the School Education Act by July 7.
Although the government had agreed to bring the Act by June 29, the deadline passed without action due to ongoing disputes and unresolved demands.
The NTF is demanding that 75 percent of teaching positions be filled through internal promotion and the remaining 25 percent through open competition. It is also calling for a reduction in the performance evaluation score threshold for teachers.
Address the Demands of Agitating School Teachers
“We will wait until July 7, as the next meeting of Parliament has been scheduled for that day,” said NTF Vice-Chairperson Nanumaya Parajuli. “Though the agreed deadline has already passed, we are exercising restraint until then.”
The Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives had planned to pass the bill on Monday. However, disagreements over the Federation’s demands stalled the process.
Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire called for a delay, citing the need for further dialogue with the NTF. Education Minister Raghuji Pant also requested more time to consult stakeholders.
The bill initially proposed a 60/40 ratio for filling teaching vacancies—60 percent through internal promotion and 40 percent through open competition. But pressure from the NTF for a 75/25 ratio prevented the bill’s passage.
“The Ministry of Education had agreed to the 75/25 provision, but the Education Minister later altered it. Our position remains firm,” said Parajuli.
The NTF has also objected to the current performance evaluation system. “Scoring 90 points is unrealistic. It should be brought down to 80,” Parajuli argued, adding that resolving these issues should not take long if the government is willing.
“If the Act is not issued by July 7, we will launch a protest,” she said. “We had already announced back on April 30 that failure to enact the law would lead to agitation. There is no alternative now.”
Earlier, following a 29-day protest that began on April 2, the NTF reached an agreement with the government on April 30 to implement the Act by June 29.
