Kathmandu, Nepal - The Private and Boarding Schools' Organisation, Nepal (PABSON) has announced a series of protest programs, warning of a decisive movement if the government does not amend the proposed School Education Bill, 2080.
PABSON, representing private educational institutions that contribute an estimated 34% to the nation's education system, has expressed grave concerns over several "impractical and unjust" provisions in the bill, which is currently in its final stages of discussion within the Federal Parliament's Education, Health, and Technology Committee.
PABSON has repeatedly submitted formal letters and memorandums to the government, the Ministry of Education, and major political parties, demanding the cancellation or amendment of specific provisions. Citing a lack of adequate response, the organization's central committee began peaceful protests on August 14th, 2025.
In a joint press release, PABSON stated that while it is optimistic about the new law, the current draft of the bill contains provisions that could severely impact the private sector and the government's own educational goals. The organization is urging for a private-sector-friendly, practical, just, and inclusive education act.
Key Demands of PABSON:
- The term “full scholarship” must be removed.
- Non-Academic Provisions: Eliminate the requirement for schools to provide non-academic items such as uniforms, stationery, educational materials, and meals.
- Remove the provision that aims to gradually turn schools registered under the Company Act into "non-profit" organizations.
- The right to distribute scholarships should be held by the relevant school, and a transparent committee should be formed, with the participation of a municipal representative, to distribute them.
- Cancel the discriminatory provisions in Section 3(a) of the Scholarship Act, 2021, Regulation 2060's Rule 10(a), that includes a discriminatory provision by including a 45% reservation scholarship which states that only those who have studied from 6 to class 10 in community schools are eligible to study in higher education under the CTEVT program, should be removed.
Planned Protests:
PABSON has announced the following protest schedule, warning of a "decisive movement" on August 24th if their demands are not met:
- August 21st, 2025 (11 AM - 1 PM): A rally will be held by all school principals from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwor Chowk, followed by a corner meeting back at Maitighar.
- August 22nd, 2025 (11 AM): School buses across the country will be paraded through major intersections. In the Kathmandu Valley, buses will rally with black flags and banners along the 27-kilometer ring road.
- August 22nd, 2025 (1 PM): School representatives will gather at Maitighar Mandala to surround and picket the Education, Health, and Technology Committee and the Federal Parliament.
- August 24th, 2025: PABSON will enter a decisive phase of the protest.
PABSON emphasized that it is seeking dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation, with the state. However, it warned that if its professional existence and educational contributions are undermined, it will be forced to resort to all available means of protest.
Watch the full video:
View the official notice below:
