KATHMANDU, APRIL 6

In a dramatic development of protests today, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed three protests on the same day related to the prerequisite of development infrastructure- health, education and electricity.

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Several scholars have argued that health, education, and electricity are prerequisites for growth. According to Srinivasu and Rao's research paper published in 2013, infrastructure is a prerequisite for the nation's economic development, which includes transportation and communications, energy, pure drinking water supply, health, housing, and educational facilities as basic human needs.

Three of the sectors, however, appeared to be in doldrums making headlines in every media.

In the light of the disputed School Education Act, teachers continued their peaceful protest, while doctors also took to the streets today.

The agitating teachers occupied the area along the Babarmahal-Baneshwor route, demanding a student- and teacher-friendly School Education Act.

Today was the fifth day that teachers from various parts of the country have gathered in the Babarmahal-Baneshwor area for demonstrations.

Teachers across the country, led by the Confederation of Nepal Teachers (CNT), have been protesting since February 2, demanding the implementation of a quality school education and a School Education Act that is friendly to students and teachers.

They have been demonstrating in Kathmandu since April 2. They have referred to it as the 'final and decisive movement' for the promulgation of the Education Act.

CNT Chair, Laxmi Kishore Subedi, stated that the agitation will continue until their voices are heard.

The confederation issued a press statement today urging teachers not to engage in copy-checking or results publishing, educational tours, training, or seminars during the protests.

The CNT's statement reads, 'To strengthen this movement, a general educational strike has been announced beginning April 7. We urge all teachers and staff members to close all schools across the country and participate in the agitation in Kathmandu.'

CNT has also urged teachers not to check answer sheets, publish results, hold training seminars or go on educational tours during the protest period. This could have an impact on SEE results, as teachers have stated that they will not check answer sheets until their demands are met.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) after an official visit to Thailand, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stated that the teachers' peaceful protests demonstrated their 'trust' in the government.

Speaking to the media at the TIA, the prime minister stated, 'They are confident that the government will hear them. We will sit for talks with them. They are neither the protesters of the government nor are we their opposition,' he said, referring to the agitating protesters.

On the other hand, resident doctors at Nepal Medical College, Jorpati, have staged a protest, alleging labour exploitation.

They protested at Maitighar today, claiming that they were not receiving the minimum salary of 48,000 rupees as approved by the government through the Cabinet.

'Control the extreme commercialisation of health education,' 'Stop the black marketing of PG seats,' 'Stop politicising health education,' and 'Stop the labour exploitation of resident doctors,' read their placards.

Similarly, a protest was held in Maitighar, calling for Kulman Ghising's reinstatement as executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

On Sunday afternoon, supporters of Kulman held a peaceful demonstration in Maitighar Mandala while carrying his photographs.

The government removed Ghising, who had claimed to have eliminated load shedding in Nepal, and appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the NEA's executive director.

Ghising filed a petition with the Supreme Court, challenging this. The Supreme Court has already denied Kulman's request for an interim order, prompting protests from various parties since his removal.