Teachers from across Nepal assembled in the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday, demanding the immediate passage of the long-pending School Education Bill.

The mass demonstration, organised by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, saw educators rally from various parts of the capital city, converging at Maitighar before marching towards Baneshwar.

Carrying placards with slogans such as “Respect the teaching profession,” and “Enact the education act now,” teachers declared an indefinite street protest, calling it a decisive phase in their struggle for educational reform.

Their primary demand is the enactment of the School Education Act, which has been pending in Parliament despite previous commitments from the government.

Earlier, the teachers had come to the streets in March to pressure the government to pass the Bill.

The agreement, signed in September 2023, had assured amendments to the bill, but the teachers allege that the authorities have failed to honour their commitments.

Local units want school teachers to fall under their jurisdiction as per the constitution that lists school education as absolute authority of the local government. However, the agitating teachers have refused to stay under local authorities, claiming there are high chances that the local governments will treat them based on the political leanings of the local governments.