Localization in Saudi military industries rises to 19.35%    Logistics park for vehicles worth SR300 million to be set up at Dammam port    Commerce Ministry recalls 6,500 Genesis cars due to risk of fire    HONOR KSA expands its presence with new flagship Experience Store in Riyadh HONOR's first flagship store in KSA provides visitors with a premium experience, exciting offers and free services    Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Oman-mediated talks with US    Prince Sultan University launches first bachelor's program in language and media    Al-Falih: Eastern Province hosts 700 investment opportunities worth SR330 billion    India demolishes houses of 10 alleged militants days after deadly Kashmir attack    Yemen's Houthis claim dozens killed in US strike on prison holding African migrants    Putin announces three-day Russian ceasefire in Ukraine from 8 May    Crown Prince donates SR1 billion to support housing for eligible families    Suspect charged after Vancouver car ramming leaves 11 dead    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picks Outkast but not Oasis    Makkah police arrest Yemeni and Egyptian suspects of fake Hajj campaign    Duran leads Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Al Ahli cruise past Buriram into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi orchestra to perform at Sydney Opera House in May    Al Hilal thrash Gwangju to reach AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi Theater Commission launches its Work and Learn Project in UK    The season has begun — and one comment shook us all    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Teachers strike over education reform shuts down Nepal schools
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 22 - 09 - 2023

A massive teachers' strike in Nepal has entered its third day, disrupting classes for millions of students across all public schools.
About 110,000 teachers are protesting an education reform bill in parliament.
They are against proposals to give local governments oversight of schools and a ban on teachers joining groups with political affiliations.
On Thursday, scores of protesters marched towards the parliament building in the capital, Kathmandu.
Anti-riot police armed with sticks pushed pack as the protesters tried to push past a steel barricade.
Students and parents are calling for an end to the unrest so that classes can resume.
"How can my own teachers play against my future?" said 16-year-old Simran Bhatta Acharya, who is preparing for national examinations.
Simran's mother Sabitri Acharya said she has taken several days off work to look after her daughter.
"How long can I do that? Teachers should fight for their rights without taking away the children's right to education," she said.
The teachers are protesting a provision the bill that bars them from joining organisations with political affiliations.
Nepali teachers were notably involved in the country's fight for democracy. The country held its first parliamentary elections in 1959 and political parties have long been interested in recruiting teachers as activists.
But some education experts argue that teachers' involvement in politics undermine education quality and have argued for party politics to be banned in these institutions.
The teachers also protest plans to give local government oversight of schools, which they say should be exclusive to the federal government.
A constitutional change passed in 2015 shifted the governance of some public institutions, such as schools and hospitals, to local authorities. This followed concerns over the centralisation of powers and resources in Kathmandu.
Eight years on, some teachers are complaining that local officials are not properly equipped to run schools and have caused the quality of education to fall.
Many Nepalis however are supportive of the bill, which they believe ensures greater accountability among the teachers.
The teachers have put up various demands to the government, which include letting decisions on promotion and transfer be handled at the provincial level, instead of by local municipalities.
They also asked for higher wages, a council to oversee teachers' training, and opportunities for teachers hired on a contract-basis to take up permanent appointments.
Kamala Tuladhar, president of the Nepal Teachers' Association, claims the government did not fulfil its "agreement" with teachers earlier to address their concerns.
"But many things were not addressed, so we were forced to protest," she said.
Nepal's acting Prime Minister Purna Bahadur, however, said the teachers started protesting "without informing the government about their demands".
Government leaders met the protesting teachers on Thursday to discuss their concerns. Officials said the talks were "positive" but ended inconclusively. Both sides are expected to meet again on Friday.
The teachers have threatened to continue demonstrating if their demands are not met.
Bahadur's press adviser Kamal Giri told the BBC the acting PM has "assured that the government has no intention of undermining the teachers' morale". — BBC


Clic here to read the story from its source.