Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government’s decision to deny recognition to organizations of teachers, professors, and staff affiliated to political parties has sparked opposition among teacher associations.
Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Mahabir Pun issued a notice on Sunday, stating that the ministry will no longer recognize organisations of teachers, professors, and staff affiliated with political parties as sister or well-wisher organizations. This decision has angered leaders of the Confederation of Nepali Teachers (CNT) and its affiliated groups.
CNT National Committee President Laxmi Kishor Subedi said a meeting of the affiliated groups would be held to decide how to respond to the ministry’s notice. “We will decide collectively how to proceed and what steps to take,” Subedi told Himal Press.
He also accused Minister Pun of attempting to create conflict between teachers and the government.
Subedi maintained that the associations affiliated with the CNT are independent. “They are not sister organisations of any political party. They are registered under the Labour Act and are entirely legal,” he claimed. He also cited Section 34 (3) of the Constitution, which guarantees workers’ rights. “Teachers’ personal beliefs or political affiliations are not our concern. Any closeness to a party is only ideological,” he added.
On the other hand, the National Committee of the Nepal School Staff Council welcomed the decision. President Gangaram Tiwari said the involvement of organisations with political affiliations has caused irregularities in the education sector. “For long-term solutions, we need to see how effectively this interim government implements its decision,” he added.
Earlier, Former Education Minister Samuna Shrestha’s efforts to depoliticize teachers had failed. While Minister Shrestha had taken action against some politically affiliated teachers, other teachers close to parties resisted the move.
Educationist Bidya Nath Koirala also criticised political parties for turning teachers into their functionaries. “Parties have recruited teachers to form their own sister organizations. Calling them ‘well-wisher’ organization is misleading,” he said, adding that teachers will continue their political affiliations unless party statutes are amended.
