Kathmandu, March 21

Institutional School Teachers’ Union (ISTU) an umbrella organisation of teachers from institutional schools across the country is all set to conduct its fourth convention in Kathmandu on April 30 and May 1.

A press statement issued by ISTU in the capital today said as two umbrella organisations of ISTU namely Nepal-ISTU and ISTU-Nepal had merged into ISTU on March 19, the union had decided to conduct its convention as a celebration of unity.

According to the statement, ISTU was registered at Kathmandu District Administration Office on January 15, 2004, but it split into Nepal-ISTU and ISTU-Nepal a couple of years ago following conflict of interest between a few people in the organisation.

The two factions were merged on March 21 to jointly fight for their rights.

In the statement, ISTU has demanded that the government crap the provision of registering schools as per the Company Act and bring all educational institutions running foreign curriculum under government acts and regulations.

“We protest foreign intervention in the country through the medium of education,” it said, adding, “The government should bring all those academic institutions running foreign curriculum under its supervision and regulation.”

The union also demanded appointment letters, salary, leave, provident fund, social allowances and other facilities to teachers and employees from institutional schools at par with government school teachers and employees.

ISTU has asked institutional schools to appoint a teacher’s representative who is elected from the teachers’ assembly in the School Management Committees.

“We want the government to provide necessary training to teachers and employees from institutional schools for quality education,” read the statement.

The union’s demands also include formation of high-power monitoring committee in district as well as a central level and government recognition of ISTU by ensuring their representation in state-formed bodies.

ISTU has warned the government of protests from the beginning of the new academic session if their demands are not addressed.