Kathmandu | Nepal’s Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, has tendered her resignation amid an intensifying nationwide teachers’ protest demanding the enactment of the School Education Act. The movement, led by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, has entered its 20th consecutive day, with thousands of educators demonstrating in Kathmandu.
According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Minister Bhattarai cited health concerns as the reason in her resignation letter. “Minister Bhattarai submitted her resignation to the Prime Minister, mentioning her health condition,” said a member of the secretariat, adding, “We are unaware of any other underlying reasons. Her decision came abruptly, right in the middle of the ongoing protests.”
While her personal press coordinator, Ramji Lamsal, declined to elaborate on the reason for her resignation, insiders from her own secretariat suggest that mounting pressure from the protest, especially after the start of the new academic session, made her position untenable.
Protest Escalates as School Act Demands Remain Unfulfilled
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has been staging large-scale demonstrations, demanding the prompt release and implementation of the long-pending School Education Act. Despite repeated calls for dialogue, the government has failed to meet the demands, leading to increasing friction between educators and authorities.
Although the Ministry of Education made several attempts to initiate dialogue, teachers remained firm, stating they would only sit for talks if the government was willing to commit to fulfilling their core demands.
Observers say Minister Bhattarai’s resignation raises serious questions about the future course of the teachers’ movement and the government’s willingness to resolve the crisis. As the minister responsible for navigating this critical education policy issue, her departure in the middle of escalating protests appears to signify a failure in governmental leadership and coordination.
Backdoor Talks and Minister’s Exclusion
Tensions further escalated on April 17 (Baisakh 5) when Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a closed-door, two-hour-long meeting with leaders of the Teachers’ Federation at his Baluwatar residence — notably without the involvement or knowledge of Minister Bhattarai. This move reportedly widened the communication gap between the Education Ministry and the protesting teachers.
Only a few days prior, on April 14 (Baisakh 2), Minister Bhattarai had held a discussion with Speaker Devraj Ghimire and other parliamentary leaders regarding ways to advance the School Education Act. But following her exclusion from key negotiations and lack of visible progress, trust between the ministry and the protesters appeared to collapse.
Teachers Unfazed, Determined to Continue Struggle
Reacting to the resignation, leaders of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation have expressed suspicion over the timing and motive, suggesting it could be a tactic to undermine the movement. “This could be a calculated strategy to weaken our protest,” said one senior leader. “But teachers are not naïve — this movement will not stop until we reach our destination.”
Federation President Laxmikishor Subedi echoed similar concerns. “The government has already broken three agreements in the past. This time, we won’t back down without full implementation,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli’s recent comments have drawn further criticism. On Monday, he dismissed the protest as a “drama” and urged teachers to return to classrooms, assuring that their demands would be addressed only after they resumed duties. His remarks were interpreted by many as dismissive and lacking empathy, potentially deepening the deadlock.
Minister Bhattarai’s Health Background
While health issues were mentioned as the formal reason for resignation, Minister Bhattarai had indeed been facing medical challenges in recent months. In early February (Fagun), she was hospitalized at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital after developing a serious throat infection, which resulted in swelling and required surgical intervention.
She underwent surgery and stitches were removed on February 29 (Fagun 18). Though advised rest by doctors, she returned to her ministry duties after about two weeks of recovery. Her health condition had forced her to visit the hospital multiple times between February 6 and 29.
Despite these health concerns, she continued to engage in ministry work until her sudden resignation this week, prompting speculation that her health might not be the only reason behind her departure.
Conclusion:
Minister Bhattarai’s resignation marks a significant moment in Nepal’s ongoing education crisis. As the teachers’ protest gains momentum, her exit could either intensify the deadlock or pave the way for a more resolute government stance. Either way, the lack of meaningful dialogue and continued political maneuvering have left the country’s education sector in uncertainty at the beginning of a new academic year.