What should not have happened has, unfortunately, occurred. Despite nearly a month of protests by community school teachers across Nepal demanding their rights and improvements in the education system, the government remained unresponsive. Today, clashes in Kathmandu between police and protesting teachers resulted in serious injuries to both teachers and journalists. The inability of the state to engage responsibly with teachers through dialogue reflects a clear governance failure, and the government’s lack of accountability is evident.
Instead of holding responsible discussions with the teachers, the ruling party and the Prime Minister gathered party activists for provocative speeches on the streets, further aggravating the educators. Even after Education Minister Vidya Bhattarai resigned and highlighted the severity of the situation, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has failed to hold decisive talks with the teachers.
Teachers must act responsibly in their protests as well. Throwing stones at police is ethically weak, and attempts to break prohibited zones or refuse dialogue only weaken the legitimacy of their demands. Teachers must prioritize dialogue and ensure that students’ rights are considered. Delays in tasks such as marking SEE exam papers, conducting grade 12 exams, and admitting new students risk forcing thousands of students from public to private schools, complicating teachers’ work further.
Today’s confrontation between teachers and police in Kathmandu has intensified the protest movement and deepened public frustration with the government. The events have highlighted serious systemic and structural problems within Nepal’s education sector and state machinery. Suppressing peaceful demonstrations not only infringes on teachers’ rights but also directly attacks the societal role of education in shaping the country’s future.
The government should be fully aware of the deteriorating conditions in the education sector and take responsibility to implement meaningful reforms. It must ensure that qualified personnel are engaged in education, modernize the system, and address the decline in student enrollment in public schools. The government should actively monitor and correct these issues without political distraction. Prime Minister Oli’s recent statements on government stability further underscore the lack of focus on critical areas like education.
The teachers’ movement, aimed at reforming the education system and protecting educators’ rights, should be seen as an opportunity to implement new policies. Updating the old 1990 Education Act, improving teachers’ salaries and working conditions, and enhancing student-teacher interaction are necessary steps to strengthen the system. These demands are not personal or political—they are essential for the sustainability and quality of education.
During today’s protests, police forcibly dispersed teachers, resulting in injuries, including broken hands for some. Journalist Sabina Karki, reporting on the movement, also sustained serious eye injuries, raising concerns about press freedom and transparency in government operations.
The teachers’ movement represents a push for educational reform and guidance for the government on necessary improvements. Violence against teachers only complicates the problem, undermining both teachers’ rights and the state’s obligation to provide free, quality education for future citizens.
Today’s events pose a critical question: How strong is Nepal’s democratic system, and how well are citizens’ rights protected? The teachers’ protests are an exercise of democratic rights, and suppressing them will only push the country’s education sector further into crisis. The government must now resolve the situation through dialogue and consensus, creating a safe environment for teachers to return to schools immediately.
