Private educational organizations have announced a joint and more powerful movement against the School Education Bill 2080, stating that some of its provisions threaten the existence, autonomy, and contributions of private schools.
A committee, formed by the joint call of PABSON, National PABSAN, HISSAN, APEN, and NMA, issued a statement announcing a series of programs to make their movement more effective. The committee argues that the bill, as presented in parliament, not only questions the private sector's contributions but also risks creating institutional instability. They warned that individuals and organizations attempting to create confusion about the movement would not receive future cooperation.
The committee has put forth several demands, including the complete removal of the provision to make schools non-profit, the abolition of the term "full scholarship," and the lifting of restrictions on selling uniforms, textbooks, educational materials, transportation, and food at schools.
The committee also requested that the authority to distribute scholarships remain with the individual schools, proposing that a transparent committee be formed with the participation of local representatives to ensure distribution to the targeted demographic. Furthermore, they demanded the immediate abolition of a discriminatory provision that provides opportunities for higher education and technical training only to students from community schools.
Upcoming Protest Schedule
The joint protest committee has scheduled several upcoming events.
- On Bhadra 18, warning assemblies will be held in all district headquarters. In Kathmandu, a training session for a decisive movement will be held at Hotel Best Western Plus in Tilganga.
- An interaction program with the media will take place on Bhadra 19.
- Preparation meetings and discussions with major political parties are scheduled for Bhadra 20 and 21.
- A comprehensive interaction with private sector stakeholders is planned for Bhadra 22.
- On Bhadra 23, private school operators from across the country will be brought to Kathmandu.
- A joint meeting with Members of Parliament will be held on Bhadra 24.
- A massive protest program will take place in Kathmandu on Bhadra 25.
The joint statement was issued with the approval of the committee members, including Pawitra Limbu, President of NMA, Badri Dahal, President of APEN, Yuvraj Sharma, Acting President of HISSAN, Subash Neupane , President of National PABSAN, and Krishna Prasad Adhikari, President of PABSON. They pledged to conduct the movement in a disciplined, restrained, and powerful manner, clarifying that they stand firmly for the prosperity, quality, and autonomy of the education sector and will not compromise on protecting the dignity and contributions of private education.
