The Private and Residential Schools’ Organization Nepal (PABSON) has announced a nationwide protest, claiming that certain provisions of the proposed Education Bill are unacceptable for private schools.
In a joint meeting held at PABSON’s central office on Shrawan 27, it was decided that the programs will be implemented through local, district, and provincial committees.
According to PABSON, the schedule will begin on Shrawan 29 (Thursday) with the submission of a memorandum to the chairman and the head of the municipal education section in the presence of journalists. On Shrawan 30, the memorandum will be submitted to the District Administration Office, the Education Development and Coordination Unit, and the District Coordination Office. On Bhadra 1, it will be presented to the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Social Development, followed by submission to federal MPs from their constituencies on Bhadra 2, and a suggestion collection session via a national council Zoom meeting in the evening.
From Bhadra 3 to 5, municipal, district, and provincial committees will hold preparatory meetings for the protest. On Bhadra 6 and 7, interactions with stakeholders at the central and provincial levels will finalize the program.
According to PABSON General Secretary R.B. Katwal, if there is no resolution through these protests, awareness campaigns, memorandum submissions, interactions, and discussions within the set timeframe, a school closure program may also be implemented.
PABSON has demanded the removal of the clause that would make private schools non-profit. They also demand that the phrase “full scholarship” be removed. The parliamentary subcommittee report passed by the Education Committee on Shrawan 22 includes a statement that private schools will gradually be turned into non-profit institutions.
Private school operators have also demanded that the current provision of providing scholarships to 10% of total students should continue and that admission fees, annual fees, and monthly tuition fees should remain applicable under scholarships. PABSON has instructed all committees at various levels to make the necessary preparations.
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