KATHMANDU, APRIL 21
Amid relentless protests by teachers in Kathmandu, Education, Science, and Technology Minister Bidya Bhattarai resigned from her portfolio today.
Bhattarai's press coordinator, Ramji Lamsal, informed that Minister Bhattarai tendered her resignation to Prime Minister Oli on Monday afternoon.
The cabinet meeting was scheduled for Monday evening. Prime Minister Oli and Education Minister Bhattarai spoke prior to the cabinet meeting. However, Minister Bhattarai resigned before the cabinet meeting.
Minister Bhattarai's secretariat has stated that Minister Bhattarai resigned due to health reasons, while several reports have claimed it was due to mounting pressures. According to reports, Bhattarai was ready to reach an agreement with teachers on seven points, but PM Oli was opposed to it.
Minister Bhattarai proposed seven points, which included raising the salary of preschool teachers to Rs 17,300, creating a social security fund package for such teachers and including them, providing remote allowances, adjusting grades, maintaining the hierarchy, and providing exemptions for teachers receiving treatment at civil hospitals.
Today, speaking at an event here, PM Oli stated that the state shall address teachers' demands as long as they are feasible and will not burden the state's coffers.
Meanwhile, CPN-UML leader Mahesh Basnet has attributed Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai's resignation to her own weakness. He immediately posted a status on Facebook to express his reaction to the resignation.
Basnet claimed in his post that the failure to end the agitation, the inability to negotiate with the Teachers' Confederation, and the minister's resignation are all indications of her own weakness.
"Since becoming a minister, there have been flaws in her work performance, and public criticism of her management style has been widespread. The challenge now is to find a leader who can bring stability to the education sector, address teacher demands, and reform education policies," reads his post.
With Bhattarai's resignation, the government faces mounting pressure over teacher demands. Despite the government's assurances that it is committed to meeting teachers' demands and urging them to end their agitation, the teachers have persisted.
Teachers have been protesting in Kathmandu since April 2, demanding the immediate promulgation of the School Education Act, incorporating past agreements with the government.
On top of that, grade XII exams are also beginning on April 25. Prior to the teachers' protest coming to an end, Education Minister Bhattarai has resigned.
Laxmi Kishor Subedi, chair of the Confederation of Nepalese Teachers, stated that the agitation will continue in disciplined and dignified manners as always. He stated that the agitation in Maitighar would continue until the demands were met.
However, the government has assured that the education bill will be passed during the same session of parliament, scheduled for April 25. Subedi stated that even if the government gives such an assurance, the agitation will continue until the act is passed.
"The protest was launched with the determination and policy to address teachers' concerns," he stated. " It (the protest) is supported by teachers from all 77 districts and 753 local levels."
Meanwhile, during his remark at the 11th National Conference of the Progressive Professors' Organisation, Nepal, in Kirtipur, PM Oli said, "The School Education Bill is being considered by a parliamentary committee. There is no need for thousands of teachers to take to the streets to bring the Act."
Reminding the agitating teachers that admission has already started for the new academic year, he urged, "Please return to the school and begin the admission process."
Stating that teachers' agitation is a loss for students and parents, he added, "Talks will bring the agitation to an end. It is not appropriate for teachers to agitate, especially when regressive elements are motivated."
