The parliamentary subcommittee has finalized its report by addressing most of the issues based on the agreement between the government and the Teachers' Federation.
However, no agreement has been reached regarding private schools and the operation of Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes. The subcommittee will present its report with clause-wise discussions to the committee on Sunday (2082-02-04), excluding unresolved matters.
Key Agreements Reached
Agreements have been made on the following:
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The SEE examination will no longer be conducted.
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District Education Offices will be removed.
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Teachers will be appointed with a 60% quota through internal competition and 40% through open competition.
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Headmasters will be appointed through provincial-level competition.
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Private schools will be regulated more strictly in terms of scholarships.
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Teacher transfers will be allowed only after 5 to 7 years.
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Two special-grade teachers will be assigned in each province.
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Staffing positions for school employees will be fixed.
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Periodic promotions for teachers will be ensured.
Subcommittee Formed for Clause-wise Discussion
To expedite the conclusion of the School Education Bill, a subcommittee was formed on Chaitra 8 under the leadership of MP Chhabilal Bishwakarma. The subcommittee began clause-wise discussions on Chaitra 18, 2081, with a 35-day deadline for report submission.
In 30 days, the subcommittee held 39 meetings to complete discussions, according to Bishwakarma. A 10-day extension was granted for report writing, which was completed on Friday.
Finalized Provisions of the School Education Bill
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The SEE examination will be discontinued.
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District Education Offices will be dissolved.
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Teacher appointments: 60% internal, 40% open competition.
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Unsuccessful candidates will be retired with benefits.
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Headmasters will be selected through provincial competition.
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Headmasters will not be subject-specific teachers.
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Stricter regulations on scholarships in private schools.
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Teacher transfers only after 5 to 7 years.
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Two special-grade teachers in each province.
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Staffing positions for school employees are to be established.
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Periodic promotions for teachers should be ensured.
Issues Pending on Private Schools and ECD Operations
MPs have stated that issues regarding private schools and ECD operations will be finalized in the committee. The bill currently allows private schools to continue under the existing company model.
However, ruling and opposition MPs advocating amendments have demanded a transition to a non-profit trust (Guthi) model within a specified period. Due to the absence of a clear government stance and disagreement on the transition timeline, a consensus was not reached.
According to one MP, “The bill does not compel private schools to convert to a trust. Some MPs want to retain this clause, while others insist on a fixed deadline to transition to a non-profit model.”
Most MPs believe that students enrolled in Grade 1 now should complete their school years in the same institution, and that private schools should be compelled to convert to a trust model within 10 to 12 years. MPs also noted that the Medical Education Act requires private medical colleges to transition to non-profit status within 10 years.
While some MPs argued that schools established under a company model cannot be converted, others raised concerns about the unchecked expansion of private schools if left as is. Consequently, no final agreement was reached. The bill prohibits establishing new private schools altogether under the company model.
Disagreement Over ECD Integration into School Structure
Subcommittee members noted that no consensus was reached on integrating ECD classes into the school structure and extending them to two years. MPs favor making ECD two years long and equal in both private and public schools.
However, the Ministry of Education is reluctant, citing increased expenses such as hiring teachers and adding classrooms.
An MP stated, “There is nearly full agreement that children should be enrolled in ECD at age 4 and in Grade 1 only after age 6. But placing ECD within the school structure would require staffing and classrooms, which the Ministry is not ready for. Discussions are ongoing to resolve this.”
The government plans to operate ECD at the local level. Private school operators who currently run pre-primary classes under various names for up to three years do not favor a uniform two-year ECD. They are also dissatisfied with the trust conversion proposal.
SEE Examination to Be Discontinued
The subcommittee has agreed not to conduct the SEE exam at the national level since the school level now includes up to Grade 12. According to another MP, Grade 10 examinations will be conducted by the schools themselves. As per the agreed provisions, District Education Offices will be eliminated, although some MPs have filed amendments proposing their retention.
Agreement on Management of Temporary and Relief Teachers
The bill also addresses one of the most debated issues—the management of temporary and relief teachers.
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60% of teachers will be appointed through internal competition, and 40% through open competition.
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The initial provision was to make 50% of teachers permanent through internal competition.
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The government had earlier agreed with the Teachers' Federation to make 75% of teachers permanent through internal procedures.
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MPs, however, concluded on a 60-40 basis.
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Those who fail the exams will be retired with benefits under existing rules.
There are currently around 45,000 relief and temporary teachers. These positions will be converted into official posts and filled through internal competition.
Headmaster Appointments to Be Done Through Provincial Commission
In public schools, headmasters will be selected through the Provincial Teacher Service Commission. Teachers across the province will compete, and the local level will appoint the recommended candidate.
An MP stated, “The headmaster will not be a subject teacher.”
Regulation of Scholarships in Private Schools
A stricter regulatory mechanism on scholarships in private schools has also been finalized. Although the law requires 10% of seats to be offered as scholarships, implementation has been weak.
Teacher Transfers and Promotions
The bill proposes that teacher transfers occur only after five years. Transfers within local levels will happen after five years, and inter-provincial transfers after seven years. Each province will have two special-grade teachers, a position currently limited to first-grade only.
Teachers will receive periodic promotions every 10 years. Staffing positions for school employees will be established. A seven-member School Management Committee (SMC) will be formed for basic schools and an eleven-member committee for secondary level schools, with the student's parent as chairperson.
A national-level umbrella organization for management committees will be allowed. The current Teachers' Federation will continue its role.
Timeline and Political Commitments
The bill was registered in the House of Representatives in Bhadra 2080. A total of 161 MPs submitted 1,758 amendment proposals. The Teachers' Federation staged protests in Kathmandu for 29 days demanding passage of the School Education Act. In response, political leaders pledged to pass the bill in the current session.
Committee Chair Amar Bahadur Thapa, Nepali Congress Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire, and UML Whip Mahesh Bartola have committed to passing the bill by Ashad 15. Following assurances to address demands related to teacher career development in the Cabinet, the protest was called off.
