RAJBIRAJ: A number of teachers’ organisations have announced programmes to protest the absence of District Education Officer for long.

Nepal Teachers’ Union Saptari, an umbrella organisation of the teachers’ unions, announced the protest programme today. District chairman of the Union, Bhabendra Prasad Yadav said the teachers were compelled to resort to protest as Chief District Officer Ram Prasad Ghimire failed to present DEO Kedar Tiwari within the 15-day ultimatum. The agitating teachers have announced to padlock the education office indefinitely from February 3. Yadav threatened to halt monetary transaction in the office if the demands were not met shortly.

Separately, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal also submitted a memorandum to the CDO yesterday, drawing his attention that unruly activities were on the rise in the education sector in the chief official’s absence.

MJF district chairman Shyam Prasad Shah said, ‘’We will intensify our protests if the demands are not met soon.’’

Many official works have been affected in the past three months due to the DEO’s absence. Rs 12.2 million, which could be utilised in development activities, has been unspent.

A number of school management committee members said the condition of schools in the district was poor due to the state of affairs. Kameshwor Sah, staffer, DEO, said the understaffed office had been facing difficulties, adding that a lot of official works had been affected due to the absence of responsible officials.