Temporary teachers once again went on a relay hunger strike in front of the Nepal Teachers Federation Office in Kesharmahal on Wednesday, claiming that the association failed to address their demands of a permanent status as agreed in the previous agreements. 

Around 25,000 temporary teachers across the country have been staging hunger strikes repeatedly, demanding a permanent status to the temporary teachers who have completed the required process, medical facilities for the retired temporary teachers and provision of gratuity to the temporary teachers willing to quit the job, among others. 

According to Mahadev Bhatta, general secretary of the agitating group of teachers, the team met with Keshav Niraula, chairperson of the federation and submitted the memorandum before going on the strike. Niraula has told the agitating teachers that he will draw attention of the representatives of the political parties and government officials towards their demands and address them. 

In October last year, the temporary teachers had staged a relay hunger strike for a couple of days at Maitighar, demanding further amendment to the Education Act that had a provision of ‘Golden Handshake’ for temporary teachers or examination to give them a chance to gain the permanent status. However, the temporary teachers were discontent with the provision and have been demanding that an internal competition be held and those who have failed to gain the permanent status be provided with medical treatment facility.

They have also demanded that those temporary teachers who have retired on age-limit should be provided with gratuity, medical treatment facility and a guarantee of appropriate facility upon retirement.