Himal Press 
Sher Bahadur Deuba
KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the agreements reached between the government and the Confederation of Nepali Teachers (CNT) are incorporated into the upcoming School Education Act.
Meeting a delegation of the Nepal Teachers’ Association (NTA) at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Tuesday, Deuba said the Act would be drafted as per the agreements between the CNT and the government. “The NC will provide full support to CNT’s demands,” he added.
NTA President Somnath Giri and General Secretary Gyanendra Bahadur Rawal, among others, were in the delegation.
Giri told Himal Press that Deuba expressed confidence that the School Education Bill would be tabled in the House of Representatives by the end of July. “The discussion with the NC President was positive. He is committed to ensuring the Bill is passed while addressing the issues we have raised and honoring past agreements,” Giri added.
The CNT delegation also met with Education Secretary Chudamani Paudel and reminded him to include previously agreed-upon points in the Bill. In response, Secretary Paudel assured the delegation that he would make every effort to adhere to the agreements and that nothing would be done contrary to them.
According to Giri, all discussions with the Education Ministry, at the secretary level, and in relevant committees have been progressing positively. “Secretary Paudel has also assured us that they will proceed as per the agreements,” Giri added.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, has also stated that the Bill’s process would move forward after discussions in the relevant committee.
Meanwhile, CNT has expressed objection to provisions in the draft bill made by the subcommittee, which, they say, differ from the agreements made between the government and teachers. The CNT President told Himal Press that further discussions have been held with the Ministry regarding this issue. “The bill should not move forward in its current form,” Subedi said.
The CNT and its affiliate associations have been engaging with different political parties to ensure that past agreements are not violated during the process of drafting the Act.
The School Education Bill is currently under discussion in the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives.
