Kathmandu, April 11: The teachers’ protest demanding the promulgation of the School Education Act has entered its 10th consecutive day in Kathmandu, with no concrete response from the government so far. Despite rounds of discussions and promises, teachers remain firm that they will not back down until their demands are addressed through action—not just words.

On Thursday, representatives from the Federation of Nepal Teachers (FNT) and the Ministry of Education held an hour-and-a-half long meeting. However, the dialogue ended inconclusively, further deepening the frustration among educators. During the discussion, the Federation submitted a 24-point charter of demands, urging that the act be brought into effect through an ordinance, a special session of parliament, or as part of the upcoming legislative session.

FNT Chairperson Laxmikishore Subedi expressed strong distrust toward the government, citing a history of repeated assurances that were never implemented. “The government keeps giving us hope through talks but never acts. This time, the movement is decisive,” he warned.

Nanumaya Parajuli, FNT Co-chair and coordinator of the agitation committee, emphasized that the act must be issued even via fast-track methods. She confirmed that the ministry discussed immediate, cabinet-level, and long-term measures to address the issue.

Political pressure is also building, as leaders like Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and CPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal have all been named as essential to resolving the crisis. “Without their involvement, there is no point in continuing talks,” said Parajuli.

The teachers’ grievances are rooted in a 24-point list of demands that includes concerns about permanency, equal pay and grading, and fair access to service facilities. Among Nepal’s 190,000 teachers, more than 100,000 are still working in temporary roles, creating widespread job insecurity and dissatisfaction.

In response to the government’s continued apathy, Nepal Teachers Association Far-Western Chair Dilli Raj Pant announced that the agitation would intensify from Saturday, including blockades at Maitighar Mandala. He warned that teachers are suffering financially and physically, as debt and fatigue grow amid their Kathmandu protest.

“If the government ignores our 24-point demand, it will prove costly,” he cautioned.