April 28, 2025
KATHMANDU – Police and protesting teachers clashed at New Baneshwar on Sunday during a demonstration.
The clash erupted when teachers gathered on the Bijulibazar–New Baneshwar road section and attempted to breach a prohibited area, prompting police intervention.
Tensions escalated as protesters hurled stones at police.
Police used batons and water cannons to disperse the protesters.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Aprilraj Bohara, also the spokesperson of the District Police Range Kathmandu, said seven teachers were injured during the clash.
President of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation Laxmi Kishor Subedi claimed that around 60 teachers were injured. He said they are receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, Everest Hospital, and the National Trauma Centre.
The Teachers’ Federation Nepal, an umbrella body representing school teachers, has been staging demonstrations for the past 25 days, demanding immediate promulgation of the School Education Act that incorporates their demands.
The agitating teachers are adamant about continuing their demonstrations until the Bill is passed and their concerns are addressed. Ensuring pay and perks at par with those of civil servants is their major demand.
The list also includes payment of grades, allowances to relief quota teachers, separate dedicated hospital or health checkups at a discounted price at the Civil Service Hospital. Permanent status for the temporary teachers through internal competitions is another demand. Allowing them to work under the federal government is another demand, though they are downplaying it following criticism that it is against the spirit of the constitution.
Talks between the government and school teachers, held nearly a month after the agitation began, ended inconclusively on Saturday after the protesters stuck to the immediate promulgation of the School Education Act as their bottom line.
