Sixteen student unions, including those affiliated with the ruling coalition, have jointly called on the government to immediately enact the School Education Act.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, organizations such as the Nepal Student Union (NSU), All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU), and All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union – Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) urged the government to introduce a student-friendly law without further delay.
The unions accused the government of repeatedly promising the Act but neglecting student concerns and the pending legislation.
Warning of upcoming protests if their demands are ignored, the unions have presented a five-point demand, including:
- Immediate enactment of the School Education Act
- Free education up to the secondary level
- Teacher appointments only through open competition
- Finalization of the bill in consultation with student organizations
- Election of the Student Welfare Council in universities
“The School Education Bill is directly linked to students’ concerns and interests. Therefore, the government, relevant parliamentary committee, and concerned authorities must proceed with the bill through inclusive dialogue and discussions involving student unions,” the statement said.
The unions also strongly demanded that teacher recruitment in the bill be based 100% on open competition, opposing the existing provision in the parliamentary committee which allows 60% internal and 40% open competition.
Citing Article 31 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, the unions insisted that the right to free education up to the secondary level must be implemented in full and without delay.
They further demanded that federal, provincial, and local governments unconditionally increase investment in school education to ensure qualitative transformation in the sector.
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