Teachers Association Announces Protest from Bhadra Over Unaddressed Past Agreements
The Third National Council of the Nepal Teachers Association has decided to launch a protest from Bhadra 2083, stating that previous agreements have not been implemented and demands related to teachers’ professional rights and interests have not been addressed.
The Association announced the decision through a press note issued on Shrawan 22, making public the decisions of its Third National Council held in Kathmandu on Shrawan 16 and 17, 2083. The statement, signed by Association President Laxmi Kishor Subedi and General Secretary Tula Bahadur Thapa, includes 15 different decisions on current issues.
Major Decisions and Demands of the Association
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Amendment and Approval of the Statute: The Third Amendment to the Association’s Statute, 2071 has been passed. It was submitted to the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, for registration and to the Ministry of Education and Sports on Shrawan 20, 2083, for approval.
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Opposition to Discrimination in the Budget: The Council protested against what it described as the Nepal Government’s exclusion of early childhood development teachers, school employees, and learning grant teachers from salary increases, incentive allowances, and dearness allowances in the FY 2083/084 budget. It demanded that these benefits also be provided to them.
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Remote Area (Local) Allowance and Positions: The Association has demanded that all teachers be provided remote area (local) allowances equivalent to those provided to civil servants, in accordance with the Cabinet decision of Baisakh 17, 2082. It has also called for the prompt implementation of the nine-point Cabinet decision concerning teachers and employees made on the same date and demanded the creation of sanctioned positions for early childhood development teachers and school employees.
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Temporary Teachers and Collection of Money: The Association stated that it is the official body responsible for the professional representation of all categories of temporary teachers and employees. It also expressed serious concern over reports that some individuals have been collecting information through forms and collecting money through QR codes without authorization.
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Education Act and Budget: In accordance with agreements reached between the government and the Association, it demanded the prompt issuance of a school education act friendly to teachers and employees, allocation of 20 percent of the total budget to education in line with international commitments, and practical implementation of the constitutional provision for free education up to the basic and secondary levels.
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Facilities for Community Schools: The Association demanded an increase in facilities such as scholarships and meal allowances for students studying in community schools, as well as exemptions on water and electricity charges for schools.
Protest Announced from Bhadra
The Association has decided to launch a protest from Bhadra 2083, incorporating previous and current demands, including professional security for teachers serving under temporary arrangements, periodic promotion for permanent teachers, recognition of additional service periods where service is insufficient for pension eligibility, and changes to the transfer provisions introduced by the Tenth Amendment to the Education Regulations.
The authority to determine the dates and programs of the protest has been given to an expanded office meeting of the Council.
The Council also expressed gratitude and appreciation to all teachers, employees, and those injured while participating in the previous 89-day and 29-day education movements.
Concern Over Communal Violence and Condolence Resolution
The Council expressed serious concern over the dispute and communal violence that began in Kaptanganj, Sunsari, and spread to districts of Madhesh Province. It demanded the immediate restoration of peace and compensation for affected families.
It also appealed to all citizens and communities in the area to play an active role toward that end.
Similarly, the Association expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the deaths of record-holding mountaineer Nirmal Purja and other mountaineers in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan and wished eternal peace for the departed souls.
