Teachers’ Protest Disrupts School Admissions in Palpa

The ongoing teachers’ protest has brought the enrollment drive in community schools across Palpa district to a standstill, with regular academic activities also severely disrupted.

A majority of community schoolteachers from the district have traveled to Kathmandu to join the nationwide protest, leaving schools without staff during a critical period for admissions and the release of annual examination results.

Parents are increasingly concerned about the uncertainty. Narayan Regmi, a local parent, expressed frustration over the delay in admissions, saying the lack of clarity has left families in limbo. “The results of the annual examinations haven’t been officially announced yet. We don’t even know when admissions will begin,” he said. “Meanwhile, private schools have already started enrolling students. It’s worrying.”

According to officials, nearly all community schools in Palpa have seen their teachers participate in the protests in rotation. The District Working Committee of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, Palpa, issued a press statement on Wednesday, urging full participation from educators. The call was jointly endorsed by various local teachers’ organizations.

Rampur Municipality Education Officer Bikal Kafle confirmed that the results of the annual examinations in community schools have not been released due to the absence of teachers. “The protest has delayed key academic processes, including final results and the new admission drive,” he said.

The situation has raised concerns about long-term impacts on students, particularly those from low-income families who rely on the public education system.