Kathmandu — A group of education experts and campaigners met President Ramchandra Paudel , urging him to intervene in the School Education Bill, arguing that it does not align with the constitution or the principles of social justice.

In a memorandum submitted to the president, they said the bill under discussion in the House of Representatives is “not progressive” and even risks reversing some progressive provisions at the final stage.

The experts raised five major concerns, including ensuring competent teachers in public schools by recruiting 60 percent through internal competition and 40 percent through open competition, avoiding contradictions with the Free and Compulsory Education Act of 2018, respecting the spirit of federalism, and maintaining space for coexistence between public and private schools.

They also criticized the provision allowing private schools to operate under company law. Additionally, they emphasized that education should be multilingual since most Nepali children grow up in multilingual environments.

The group further described the Nepal Teachers’ Federation as “a federation of political party affiliates” and called for an end to the politicization of education.

The delegation included Prof. Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Prof. Bidhya Nath Koirala, Prof. Sushan Acharya, Dr. Amina Singh, editor Rajendra Dahal, and educator Tika Bhattarai.

President Paudel said that while the bill primarily falls under the legislature and executive, he is taking the matter seriously and assured the delegation that he would play his role at the appropriate time.