KATHMANDU, AUGUST 8

Expressing dissatisfaction with the provisions of the proposed School Education Bill, private school organisations have announced protest if the government does not withdraw the bill that is in the process of being tabled in the House of Representative or if some of the provisions in it are not amended.

Three organisations; Private and Boarding School's Organisation Nepal, National Private and Boarding School's Organisation Nepal and Higher Secondary Schools' Association Nepal today issued a jointpress release warning that they would be forced to close all schools if their demands were not met. The Cabinet has already approved the bill, They have demanded that the provisions of the bill that propose turning private schools to be turned into non-profit private or public educational Guthi (trust) within five years be withdrawn. The umbrella organisations of private schools have asked the Cabinet to withdraw the bill or submit it to the Parliament only after amending the provision.

They have threatened that if their demand is not met, they will be forced to close schools across the country. The release signed by PABSON's President DK Dhungana, N-PABSON's President Pandab Hamal and HISSAN's President Ramesh Silwal, has termed the provision to be undemocratic and hindering fundamental rights ensured by constitution.

'There should be commitment from the government to ensure the protection and promotion of private investment by amending the bills that adversely affect the purpose and contribution of private schools,' the statement said.

They also objected to the provision of the bill that private school fees and teachers' salaries be set by the local level and have demanded a national standard.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 9, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.