School Employees Reach Agreement with Ministry of Education: Service Facilities and Posts to be Defined

On July 11, 2023, a breakthrough agreement was reached between Nepal's community school employees and the Ministry of Education. The community school staff, who had been protesting since June 4, 2023, successfully negotiated the fixing of service facilities and posts.

Suspension of Protest Following Government Commitment

Shantinath Yogi, Secretary General of the Nepal School Staff Council, declared the protest's suspension following the government's pledge. The commitment included defining the service facilities and posts of employees, particularly accountants and office assistants, in the upcoming Education Act.

The state vowed to not only satisfy the protesters' demands, but also promised to create stability by maintaining posts, and implementing the pre-existing agreement along with the Supreme Court's directive by forming a service law.

Negotiation Committee Formed

The Ministry of Education responded by establishing a negotiation committee, led by the Director General of Education and Human Resource Development Center. The committee reached a consensus to offer gradeless salary allowances to accountants and office assistants, ensuring service facilities for school employees.

The committee's Memorandum of Understanding was submitted to Education Minister Ashok Rai. Chudamani Paudel, the Director General, reported that the consent document had been handed over to the ministry for action.

Protest Resurgence after Unmet Demands

The protest reignited due to unresolved issues in the 2023/2024 financial year budget. The government currently pays a monthly salary of 13,500 to accounting branch employees and 8,000 to office assistants. However, dissatisfaction with the salaries led to protests until schools were forced to close last year.

The school employees' council president, Gangaram Tiwari, announced the protest following the budget's failure to address their demands. The employees conveyed their disappointment over the compromised budget.

Solidarity from the House of Representatives and National Assembly

The House of Representatives and the National Assembly members demonstrated solidarity with the school employees' movement, advocating for the provision of a minimum wage.

The protest initially began on June 4, 2023, with a sit-in at the Education Development and Coordination Unit. The protest escalated to a school closure, after which the negotiation committee was formed.

Supreme Court's Order on Service Law

In 2010, the Supreme Court ordered the creation and enforcement of the Service Law, which outlines the services, conditions, and facilities of public school employees. However, the government's failure to implement this within the specified 6-month timeframe contributed to the recent protests.

The Nepal Community School Staff Association and Nepal School Staff Union also joined in the movement, together with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Federal Affairs.

This historical agreement is a step forward in addressing the concerns of the 35,000 school employees across Nepal and improving the conditions of community schools nationwide.

Published on 12th July 2023

Kathmandu