शिक्षक आन्दोलन २०८१: Why Are Nepali Teachers On Strike? Class 12 Exam

Summary

In Nepal, a significant teacher protest is underway, sparked by demands for the immediate passage of the delayed School Education Act. Teachers are also calling for better working conditions, job security for temporary teachers, and improved pay and benefits, citing the disparity with civil servants. Prime Minister KP Oli has dismissed their concerns, blaming teachers for failing to meet expectations. The protest is impacting education, with board exams at risk of delays. While the teachers' grievances are clear, the voices of students and the government's response will determine the future of Nepal's education system.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers and students in Nepal are facing an uncertain future, with over 7 million students and 400,000 teachers affected by the ongoing education crisis.
• 😀 Teachers have been protesting for over a week, with demands for educational reform and better treatment, but the Prime Minister, KP Oli, has dismissed their actions as unnecessary.
• 😀 KP Oli attributes the high failure rates in SC exams to the teachers' inefficiency and overblown rhetoric, blaming them for not being effective in their work.
• 😀 Despite the criticisms, teachers are determined and have announced an educational strike, including boycotting the 11th and 12th-grade board exams.
• 😀 The Nepal Teachers' Federation is leading the protests, with their main demand being the immediate implementation of the School Education Act, which has been delayed in parliament for over 18 months.
• 😀 The School Education Bill has been caught in parliamentary discussions, with over 1,750 amendments proposed, causing further delays in its passage.
• 😀 The government's delay in passing the bill and its lack of focus on education issues have created dissatisfaction among educators, leading to calls for more serious attention to the matter.
• 😀 Teachers also demand local government control over their management, arguing that the current system under the federal government has proven inefficient and politically influenced.
• 😀 One of the key issues raised is the lack of stability for temporary teachers, with a demand to make 40,000 temporary positions permanent.
• 😀 Teachers are also pushing for better salaries and benefits, as they claim their compensation and working conditions are not on par with other government employees, especially in terms of additional benefits and allowances.

Q & A

Why are teachers in Nepal currently protesting?

Teachers in Nepal are protesting due to unresolved issues related to the *School Education Act*, teacher welfare, salary discrepancies, political interference in teacher appointments, and the need for permanent status for temporary teachers. The protests have been ongoing for over a week.

What is the main demand of the protesting teachers?

The main demand of the protesting teachers is the immediate implementation of the *School Education Act*, which has been pending in Parliament for over 18 months. They also want clearer policies regarding teacher management, salaries, and educational reforms.

Why is the *School Education Act* still not passed in Parliament?

The *School Education Act* has not been passed due to excessive amendments proposed by over 150 MPs, with more than 1,750 amendments being suggested. The debates and disagreements within Parliament have slowed down the approval process.

What is the significance of the *School Education Act* to the teachers?

The *School Education Act* is crucial for teachers as it will provide a clear legal framework for teacher management, salary structures, educational reforms, and address the longstanding issues related to teaching standards and accountability.

What are the teachers' concerns regarding local government control over education?

Teachers are concerned that local government control could lead to political interference in teacher appointments and management. They argue that local leaders might appoint teachers based on party affiliation rather than merit, which could undermine fair competition and educational quality.

What other demand do teachers have regarding temporary teachers?

Teachers are demanding that approximately 40,000 temporary teachers be granted permanent status or allowed to participate in internal competition for permanent positions. This would help stabilize their employment and improve working conditions.

How does the current budget impact the teachers' demands for permanent status?

The current education budget in Nepal, which is only 14% of the total budget, is insufficient to meet the demand for permanent status for 40,000 teachers. To implement this, the government would need additional resources to provide services, benefits, and other necessary infrastructure.

What is the teachers' demand regarding their salary and benefits?

Teachers are demanding better salaries and benefits, similar to those of government employees. They seek a grading system for salary increments, additional allowances such as risk and overtime allowances, and access to a dedicated hospital for teachers.

What impact does the teachers' strike have on students and the education system?

The teachers' strike could lead to delays in board exams like the 12th-grade exams and the Secondary Education Examination (SEE). It also highlights the underlying issues in the education system, such as poor student performance, especially in community schools, and the lack of sufficient resources for educational reforms.

How do teachers view the political influence on the education system?

Teachers are frustrated with the political influence on the education system, particularly with political leaders using their power to influence teacher appointments and transfers. They believe this political interference undermines merit-based selection and harms the quality of education.