Teachers’ Demands Cannot Be Addressed in Budget Session

Teachers’ Demands Cannot Be Addressed in Budget Session

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devaraj Ghimire, has stated that the upcoming budget session cannot accommodate the teachers’ demands.

Speaking to News Agency Nepal in Jhapa on Wednesday, he clarified that the session will focus solely on budget-related issues.

Education Bill Not on the Immediate Agenda

Ghimire emphasized that the Education Bill cannot be listed as the first agenda item. According to him, the government must present the national budget by mid-June (Jestha 14) and pass it by the end of June (Ashar end), following legal procedures. He added that while the bill is important, it does not take priority during this session.

Government Calls for Dialogue; Teachers Intensify Protest

Although the government has scheduled the budget session for April 24 (Baisakh 12) and expressed willingness to discuss the teachers’ concerns, the Nepal Teachers’ Federation has intensified its protest. The Federation argues that the government has not built trustworthy grounds for enacting the Education Act. It has called on teachers across the country to gather in Maitighar, Kathmandu, to strengthen their movement.

Speaker Urges Teachers to Join Talks

Ghimire urged the protesting teachers to return to the negotiation table. He acknowledged the government’s efforts to address their concerns but insisted that passing the Education Act immediately is not realistic. “The budget session is already under time pressure,” he said. “We cannot make the Education Bill our first priority.”

He added that the session was scheduled slightly earlier to keep the bill in mind, but that does not change the legal need to prioritize the budget.

Lack of Political Consensus Delays Key Laws

Ghimire noted that important federal laws—especially in areas like education, civil service, and police—continue to face delays due to disagreements among political parties. He said consensus between the government and teachers is crucial for finalizing the Education Bill. At present, nearly 1,800 amendments have been proposed, and without political agreement, passing the bill remains difficult.

Health Issues Delayed Previous Discussions

During the winter session, the Education Bill saw some progress. However, discussions were delayed for nearly a month due to the education minister’s health problems. That setback added to the current delay.

Unclear and Financially Heavy Demands

Ghimire questioned the clarity of the teachers’ demands. He explained that while teachers call for the immediate enactment of the Act, creating and passing legislation is the responsibility of the government and parliament. He stressed that expecting quick implementation is unrealistic.

He also argued that many demands—like salary hikes and grade promotions—place a significant financial burden on the state. “It’s unreasonable to make unconstitutional demands that the country cannot afford,” he said. “But still, dialogue remains the only way forward.”

Process of the Bill and Timeline

The Speaker outlined the legal steps needed to pass the bill. The subcommittee discussing the bill must complete its work by April 7 (Baisakh 25). After that, the parliamentary committee will review it before presenting it to the full House. Since the budget and government policies take precedence in the budget session, passing the bill by May (Jestha) seems unlikely.

Ghimire posed a critical question: “Will the teachers continue protesting for two more months?”

Protest Movement and Government Response

Teachers have been protesting at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu since April 2 (Chaitra 20), demanding the enactment of the School Education Act. Their movement, led by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, escalated on April 8 (Chaitra 26) with an educational strike.

Despite two rounds of talks with the government, teachers insist on not returning to the table unless the Act is passed.

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Ghimire criticized the teachers’ refusal to engage in further dialogue. He acknowledged their right to raise concerns but urged them to approach the issue more rationally. “Protesting while the government is making efforts and refusing to talk is not responsible,” he said.

He concluded by reminding teachers that the Act must strike a balance between improving the education system and maintaining economic stability.

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