Education Bill: Private school promoters announce nationwide protest

KATHMANDU: Promoters of private schools have announced a series of protest programs stating that the new education bill discourages privately-owned schools.

Organizing a joint press conference held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the Private and Boarding Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON), the Higher Secondary Schools Association of Nepal (HISSAN), and the National Private and Boarding Schools Organization Nepal (N-PABSON) voiced their concerns that the Bill to Amend and Unify Laws Related to School Education is unsupportive to private investment in the education sector. They particularly highlighted a provision that makes it mandatory for private schools to convert into trusts within five years which they argue could lead to the collapse of private investment in the education sector.

“Despite our suggestions to safeguard private sector investment in the education industry and uphold the dignity of educational institutions, it is unfortunate that the government is proceeding with the new bill,” Ramesh Silwal, president of HISSAN, said.

Representatives of private school organizations further said that the bill had been drafted without engaging in a discussion with stakeholders.

The organizations have outlined a series of programs as part of their protest strategy, including a demonstration at Maitighar Mandala, engagement in interactive sessions nationwide, and the closure of educational institutions across the country indefinitely from August 13.