Kathmandu, May 1 — The month-long nationwide protest led by schoolteachers demanding policy reforms in Nepal’s public education system has officially concluded after a 9-point agreement was signed with the government late Tuesday evening.
The development marks the end of the Nepal Teachers Protest 2025, which had shut down thousands of schools and led to the postponement of national examinations, including those of Grade 12.
What Led to the Nepal Teachers Protest 2025?
The protest began on April 3, 2025, when thousands of teachers from across Nepal gathered in Kathmandu under the banner of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation. The educators, both permanent and temporary, had placed forward a 22-point charter of demands, highlighting long-standing issues such as:
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Grade pay disparity
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Inclusion in the civil service hierarchy
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Social security rights
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Proper remuneration for ECD facilitators and non-teaching staff
As negotiations with the Ministry of Education stalled, the movement intensified, drawing widespread public attention and disrupting normal school operations nationwide.
9-Point Agreement That Resolved the Protest
After several failed negotiation attempts, the arrival of newly appointed Education Minister Raghuji Pant led to a breakthrough. On April 30, both parties agreed to the following 9 points:
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Free treatment for all injured during protests, including teachers, police, and journalists.
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Private-source teachers will be included in the Social Security Fund.
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Sick leave for temporary teachers to be accumulated and paid in lump sum upon retirement.
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Civil service-equivalent salary grades for permanent teachers starting FY 2082/83.
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Remote area allowances to all teachers under legal provision, regardless of appointment type.
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Salary parity between Lower Secondary First and Secondary Second Class educators.
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Teachers to be formally included in Nepal’s Order of Precedence.
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Subsidized medical services at Civil Service Hospital, Kathmandu for all teaching staff.
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Government-standard pay for ECD facilitators and support staff.
What This Means for Students
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Class 12 exams, which had been indefinitely postponed, will now begin on May 3, 2025.
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The evaluation of SEE exam answer sheets will commence immediately, enabling the publication of results for more than 600,000 students within the academic timeline.
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Over 7 million students nationwide can now resume regular schooling.
Dissent Within the Teaching Community
While union leaders celebrated the agreement, some teachers on the ground expressed frustration, alleging that the deal was struck without broad consensus. However, union officials defended the move, saying the compromise was necessary to prevent long-term academic disruption.
Day of Tension During the Protest
The peaceful movement saw one day of unrest on April 17, when police deployed water cannons in Baneshwor to disperse demonstrators. Teachers accused unknown third-party infiltrators of triggering the violence. Several individuals were injured, including a journalist. The government has committed to covering all medical costs.
