0 Comments 
Although the much-awaited ‘School Education Bill-2080′ is set to be passed by the Federal Parliament and the House of Representatives by Asad 15, no progress has been seen so far.
According to the agreement reached between the Ministry of Education and the Nepal Teachers’ Federation on Baisakh 17, the bill has a mandate to be passed within that deadline. However, due to the delay in the process, there is a possibility that the bill itself will be left behind.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghuji Pant had demanded a week’s time in the meeting of the Education Committee under the House of Representatives held on Jestha 11. The minister asked for time saying that he needed to discuss and coordinate with the federation, and the committee granted that time. However, even after more than 15 days, the committee meeting has not been held. In such a situation, the process of passing the bill is becoming more confusing.
Government’s delay, committee’s dissatisfaction
Education Committee Chairman Ammar Bahadur Thapa complained that the meeting could not be held because the government was keeping the committee waiting and asking for time. ‘Initially, three days were requested, then seven days. “Now it has been asked to wait indefinitely,” said Chairman Thapa, “the discussion cannot proceed without the presence of the Education Minister. But the minister himself is not ready to come to the committee for discussion.” Education Minister Raghuji Pant, however, has been claiming that he is working hard to pass the bill. So far, the ministry and the federation have held repeated discussions and necessary homework is being done on the basis of that, he claims.
A new 27-point agreement has been reached between the Teachers’ Federation and the Ministry of Education based on past agreements. However, this agreement has not been made public. According to federation sources, the agreement is based on the agreements reached in 2075, 2078 and 2080. These agreements cover temporary teacher management, grade increase, transfer process, child development education, SEE examination conduct, among other issues.
In particular, the issue of counting the service of temporary teachers had become controversial. Although the subcommittee suggested that the service period should be recognized only for seven years, the latest agreement states that the service of teachers appointed up to 2075 BS will be counted in full.
It has also been agreed that teachers and employees appointed before Asoj 3, 2072 will be given 100 percent opportunity in internal competition and those appointed until Baisakh 17, 2082 will be allowed to compete in 75 percent. It is also said that an agreement has been reached on determining separate qualifications for secondary level teachers for grades 9-10 and 11-12. Arrangements will be made for teachers with a bachelor’s degree to teach grades 9-10 and those with a master’s degree to teach grades 11-12.
As per the agreement between the federation and the ministry, the SEE exam will be maintained. However, it has been agreed that the responsibility of conducting the exam will be given to one of the provincial or central governments. It is hoped that this will manage disputes related to SEE to some extent.
A clear structure has also been set for the departmental action process. According to the agreement, the right to demand clarification will be given to the principal, the right to suspend service to the local municipality, the decision to reduce grades will be made by the District Education Office, and the decision to remove from employment will be made by the Education Department.
The federation had expressed serious disagreement with the report submitted by the subcommittee, contrary to the agreements made in the past. Following this disagreement, an 89-day-long teachers’ strike was held from 20 Magh 2081 to 17 Baisakh 2082. During this period, there was also an educational street strike for 29 days.
Due to the pressure of this movement, after a 9-point agreement was reached on 17 Baisakh, a 27-point detailed agreement was prepared through further discussions. Federation President Laxmikishore Subedi said that a common understanding was reached through repeated negotiations and emphasized that the bill should move forward based on the Federation’s documents.
He said, “A bill brought without reflecting the past agreements in the act will go against the Federation’s movement and the feelings of the teachers. If a bill is brought that goes against the agreement, there is a possibility of strong protests again.”
Delays in Parliament over the bill: Growing suspicions
Even now, formal discussions on the bill have not begun in Parliament. The Ministry of Education is saying that it will present the ministry’s views in the Education Committee meeting only after all the homework is completed. However, the committee chairman is accusing the ministry of running away from the discussions.
Although the Education Committee is preparing to review the subcommittee report and move forward with the necessary amendments, it is not possible without the active participation of the minister. Although the committee has planned to submit the bill to the parliament by mid-Jeshtha, the ministry has said that the preparations are incomplete, which is causing delays.
Although the government’s commitment to get the School Education Bill passed by the House of Representatives has been publicly stated, it has not been implemented accordingly.
As the deadline for passing the bill approaches, there is growing suspicion that the government wants to correct it and pass it or not. If the bill is moved forward against the consensus, the federation is warning that it may go on strike again.
In other words, there is no certainty that this bill will be passed and, on the contrary, as time goes on, there is a suspicion that the education sector will again fall into a quagmire of confusion and instability.
