Education minister Bhattarai resigned due to health issues, Oli insists

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, stepped down due to health issues.

Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on Tuesday to mark the Nepal Communist Party Foundation Day, Oli rejected suggestions that Bhattarai was forced to resign. “I was the one who appointed her as a minister and was guiding her in her work,” Oli said. “How can I force her to step down?”

Stating that the education ministry has extensive responsibilities, Oli said Bhattarai tendered her resignation. “She resigned due to health issues. There is no other reason,” he added.

Bhattarai submitted her resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday. Her resignation came at a time when school teachers from across the country are protesting in Kathmandu, demanding immediate enactment of the School Education Bill.

The Bill is currently under consideration at the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives.