Lawmakers demand education bill be passed through consensus

Kathmandu / Oct 6: Lawmakers have urged to pass the bill designed to amend and integrate laws related to school education after addressing demands of stakeholders and agreement signed by the government with different sides.

The lawmakers made the urge during discussions on the principles of the bill in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives.

On the occasion, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Ashok Kumar Rai, presented a proposal for general discussions on the bill. A proposal presented by lawmaker Ganesh Parajuli calling for disseminating the bill for people’s suggestions was rejected by a majority.

Similarly, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak mentioned that there are many concerns of stakeholders on the bill.

The issues like free and compulsory education to students, teachers, employees and management committee, relief teachers, child development teachers and coordination with local governments should be taken seriously, he shared.

Lawmaker Lekhak stressed the need for passing the bill on the basis of consensus by addressing the voices of stakeholders as per the norms, values and spirit of the Constitution.

Likewise, Raghuji Pant of the CPN-UML said, “Lawmakers make bills based on their points of view. One cannot go beyond the spirit of the constitution. The government cannot interfere in the jurisdiction of lawmakers.”

“We will be ready to bring the bill on the basis of consensus after the government presents the consensus on the issues related to the bill,” mentioned Janardan Sharma of the CPN (Maoist Center).

He further said the bill should be able to address the issue of improving the quality of education and concerns of stakeholders.

Similarly, Pradeep Kumar Yadav of Janata Samajbadi Party shared that the agreements signed with Confederation of Nepalese Teachers (CNT) and Relief Teacher Central Committee should be followed in letter and spirit.RSS