Agreement on Teacher Promotion System in School Education Bill

Agreement on Teacher Promotion in School Education Bill

The Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee (EHITC) of Parliament has reached an agreement on many provisions of the School Education Bill under discussion.

In 22 Shrawan 2082, Thursday’s meeting, it was agreed that teachers in community schools will be promoted through three methods: internal competition, seniority, and performance evaluation.

Currently, promotion is only allowed to fill second and first class positions at the primary, lower secondary, and secondary levels. Promotion decisions are based on internal competition and performance evaluation. However, due to complaints that this system is non-transparent and impractical, the new law proposes periodic promotions based on service duration, requiring an average score of 90 percent for eligibility.

The proposal had stalled since July 6 after disagreements among committee members over the average score requirement, and the Nepal Teachers’ Association also expressed strong dissatisfaction. The approved provision states that open competition will be used for recruiting teachers in the third class at the basic and secondary levels, but 20 percent of third-class secondary teacher positions will be filled through promotion from lower secondary teachers.

This is the first time the third-class secondary teacher positions will be filled through promotion. As per the agreement, promotions to second and third class secondary levels will be based on internal competition, seniority, and performance evaluation.

For promotion to second class in the basic level, quotas are set at 20 percent for internal competition, 40 percent for seniority, and 40 percent for performance evaluation. For first-class promotion, quotas will be 10 percent, 45 percent, and 45 percent, respectively. At the secondary level, 80 percent of third-class posts will be filled through open competition and 20 percent through internal promotion.

Similarly, at the secondary level, second class, quotas are set at 20 percent internal competition, 40 percent seniority, and 40 percent performance evaluation. For first-class positions, the quotas are 10 percent internal, 45 percent seniority, and 45 percent performance. Committee Chair Amar Bahadur Thapa stated that, under the agreement, teachers must have an average of 80 percent in performance evaluations over the past five years to qualify.

The committee also decided that teachers who are members of the Nepal Teachers’ Association will have their membership automatically suspended upon being appointed as a principal, and they cannot engage in association activities while serving in that role. Furthermore, the association can assign two officials to work on institutional development and educational reform activities without financial liability to the government. These officials must regularly attend their assigned ministry-designated office or school.

The committee also agreed to tighten regulations on scholarships provided by private and institutional school operators. However, discussions are still ongoing regarding what facilities will be provided to students selected for free scholarships. Other matters in the bill remain under discussion.

Key Statistics from the Agreement on Teacher Promotion in the School Education Bill

• Promotion Methods in Community Schools:

  • Internal competition

  • Seniority

  • Performance evaluation

• Basic Level – Second Class Promotion Quotas:

  • Internal competition: 20%

  • Seniority: 40%

  • Performance evaluation: 40%

• Basic Level – First Class Promotion Quotas:

  • Internal competition: 10%

  • Seniority: 45%

  • Performance evaluation: 45%

• Secondary Level – Third Class Recruitment:

  • Open competition: 80%

  • Internal promotion from lower secondary: 20%

• Secondary Level – Second Class Promotion Quotas:

  • Internal competition: 20%

  • Seniority: 40%

  • Performance evaluation: 40%

• Secondary Level – First Class Promotion Quotas:

  • Internal competition: 10%

  • Seniority: 45%

  • Performance evaluation: 45%

• Performance Evaluation Requirement:

  • Average of 80% over the past 5 years for promotion eligibility

• Principal Appointment Rule:

  • Nepal Teachers’ Association membership automatically suspended during tenure

• Scholarship Regulation:

  • Stricter rules for scholarships from private and institutional schools