Kathmandu, April 30, 2025 — After nearly a month of nationwide protests and school closures, the Nepal government and the Nepal Teachers' Federation (NTF) have signed a nine-point agreement, effectively ending the teachers' strike that had disrupted the country's education system.
The agreement, reached on April 30, stipulates that the pending School Education Bill will be endorsed by June 29, 2025. This bill aims to restructure school education in alignment with Nepal's federal setup, a move seen as crucial for implementing the federal constitution, which seeks to decentralize education governance.
Key provisions of the agreement include assurances of job security for teachers under various categories, such as relief, temporary, and early childhood development facilitators. Additionally, it addresses financial concerns by ensuring that accumulated sick leave will be compensated in a lump sum upon retirement, providing much-needed financial security for educators concluding their careers.
The protests, which began on April 2, saw thousands of teachers from across Nepal converge in Kathmandu, demanding the swift passage of the School Education Bill. The strike led to widespread school closures and disrupted national examinations, including the postponement of Grade 12 final tests.
The delay in passing the bill had also led to political repercussions. On April 21, Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai resigned amid mounting pressure and internal disagreements within the government regarding the handling of the bill and the teachers' demands.
With the signing of the agreement, the NTF has called off the strike, and regular classes in community schools are set to resume from May 2. Both the government and the teachers' union have expressed optimism that the agreement will pave the way for a more stable and equitable education system in Nepal.
