Nepal Teachers' Federation Prepares for Protest Against Education Regulations Amendment

Kathmandu. The Nepal Teachers' Federation has started preparations for a protest. The Federation's National Committee has begun preparations for a protest, stating that the tenth amendment to the Education Regulations has failed to address the demands of general teachers and employees.

Central President of the Federation, Laxmi Kishore Subedi, informed that the government, through the tenth amendment of the Education Regulations, has shattered the belief that justice will be served by the state for the problems of general teachers and employees, forcing teachers-employees into a strong protest from a new beginning.

The statement mentions that some provisions of the regulations aim to weaken the organizational strength of the Nepal Teachers' Federation, which works for the rights and interests of approximately four lakh teachers-employees, and to increase government control over professional trade unions.

It is alleged that the amended regulations have completely ignored the plight of approximately one lakh temporary teachers and school employees working in relief, former higher secondary, early childhood development, contract, and private schools. It is claimed that the government has been ruthless in solving the pension problem of teachers who became permanent after a long period of temporary service, and the authority of the school management committee has also been curtailed. Similarly, dissatisfaction has been expressed over the three-year ban on teacher transfers, which is likely to discourage new young talent from entering the teaching profession and further complicate the overall transfer system.

The statement mentions that the new system has made the post of headmaster dependent on and weak in relation to the local level chief. It is demanded that the headmaster's allowance should be at least 15 percent of the basic salary instead of a fixed amount.

The Teachers' Federation has stated that the amendment has also overlooked the demand to establish four categories, including specialist, instead of the current three categories for the professional development of teachers, and to arrange for periodic promotions. It has been concluded that the amendment has disappointed the general teachers and school employees who were hoping for significant improvement and ease.

The statement says, 'This regulation has ignored the issues that need to be addressed for the solution of the problems and plight of approximately one lakh temporary teachers (including relief, former higher secondary, learning facilitation, early childhood development education, temporary/contract, technical stream etc.) and school employees. Furthermore, this regulation has not addressed the problems and plight of teachers in privately invested (institutional) schools.'

Although some ease in the transfer of teachers with special abilities and special circumstances and the provision for mutual transfer are positive aspects, the Federation's conclusion is that overall, this amendment has made teacher transfers more difficult. The statement says, 'New young teachers who entered service with the enthusiasm to work as teachers are being prevented from transferring even when a suitable vacancy exists in their home village and the concerned school and local level are ready to accept them. The three-year ban on transfers is certain to discourage young manpower from entering the teaching profession. This arrangement also proves that the government is not favorable towards teachers.'

While it is good that all positions under special education are converted into approved positions and other facilities are determined for these teachers, the Federation has stated that the regulation is silent on the stability and professional security of the teachers working there.

The statement says, 'For the respect of the teaching profession, Rule 88 should be changed and four categories (Third, Second, First, and Specialist) should be established in place of the current three categories (Third, Second, First). The current ratio of 409-1 specified in Rule 89 has created a situation where teachers may not be promoted even by one category for twenty years. Therefore, the ratio of promotion should be increased and a provision for periodic promotion should be introduced for the easy promotion of permanent teachers. This amendment has overlooked this demand of the general teachers.'

The tenth amendment to the Education Regulations was passed on Asar 25.