The Private and Boarding Schools’ Organization Nepal (PABSON) plans to stage nationwide protests against the proposed School Education Bill, arguing that some provisions are unfavorable to private schools.
The joint meeting held at PABSON’s central office on Shrawan 27 decided to carry out the protest through local, district, and provincial committees.
According to PABSON, a memorandum will be submitted to the chairperson and the municipal education branch chief on Shrawan 29, in the presence of journalists. PABSON has scheduled to submit the memoranda to the District Administration Office, Education Development and Coordination Unit, and District Coordination Office on Shrawan 30.
Similarly, the memoranda will be presented to the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Social Development on Bhadra 1. On Bhadra 2, federal parliamentarians in their constituencies will receive memoranda, and suggestions will be collected via a Zoom meeting of the National Council in the evening.
From Bhadra 3 to 5, local, district, and provincial committees will hold preparatory meetings for the protests, as stated by PABSON. On Bhadra 6 and 7, interactions with stakeholders at the central and provincial levels will be held to finalize the programs.
PABSON General Secretary R.B. Katwal warned that the organization will resort to closing schools if their current peaceful protests and discussions do not lead to a resolution within the given timeframe.
PABSON has demanded that the phrase "private schools will be made non-profitable" be removed. They also demand that the term full scholarship be removed. The parliamentary subcommittee report passed by the Education Committee on Shrawan 22 states that private schools will be gradually made non-profitable.
Private school operators have demanded that the existing provision of providing scholarships to 10 percent of the total number of enrolled students be continued, and that admission fees, annual fees, and monthly tuition fees be maintained under the scholarship scheme. PABSON has also directed all levels of its committees to make the necessary preparations.
