MAHOTTARI: Teachers’ unions and locals have indefinitely locked the Lachamu Secondary School Jaleshwor and the District Education Office (DEO) Mahottari, protesting the formation of the school management committee (SMC) by violating an agreement reached with the teachers’ bodies earlier.

The DEO was locked by Nepal Teachers’ Union (NTU) yesterday while

the school was locked by local guardians and youths today accusing the District Education Committee (DEC) of unilaterally constituting the SMC.

The DEC had formed an ad hoc SMC under the chairmanship of Suresh Pandeya, following the dissolution of the earlier committee due to the teachers’ protest. The District Court is considering a case on the disputed appointment of the head teacher by the preceding SMC.

Sushil Yadav, chairman, NTU Mahottari, said they had decided not to attend a meeting scheduled to be held today in the District Administration Office citing the breach of agreement.

The lockout has halted services provided by the DEO. Meanwhile, District Education Officer Rambriksha Shah said efforts were underway to resolve the issue.