KMC Mayor Urges Teachers to Avoid School Closures

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah has issued a stern warning, stating that the metropolis will take action if teachers disrupt the teaching and learning environment by closing schools.

Mayor Balen’s statement comes on the eve of a nationwide protest organized by teachers at the call of the Confederation of Nepalese Teachers. The protest is against the recently registered government bill aimed at amending and consolidating laws related to education.

“We also have reservations about the Education Bill. The authority to formulate the School Education Act rests with the local units. This is because the policy and requirements for school education in Kathmandu differ from those of Jumla,” Mayor Shah said in a social media post on Wednesday.

He further emphasized that it is a violation of constitutional provisions for the federal government to introduce a Bill that should be prepared by local units. “The decision to introduce the School Education Act instead of the Federal Education Act and to develop the National Education Policy and Standards is not acceptable in any way,” Balen said. “Having said this, I kindly request teachers not to disrupt the learning and teaching environment by closing schools. Otherwise, necessary action will be taken in accordance with existing laws.”

KMC oversees more than 250,000 students and 10,000 school teachers. The nationwide teacher protest is expected to draw attention to their concerns regarding the government’s proposed education bill and its potential impact on the education system in Nepal.