Kathmandu, 14 May 2025— In a landmark move to elevate the status of educators, a parliamentary subcommittee has agreed to introduce 14 special grade teacher positions across Nepal’s seven provinces, aligning their rank with top civil service officials like secretaries and chief secretaries. The decision, finalized during clause-wise deliberations on the School Education Bill, marks a victory for teachers who have long demanded recognition commensurate with their experience and contributions.
Special Grade Status for Senior Teachers
The subcommittee under the House of Representatives’ Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee, led by CPN (UML) MP Chhabilal Bishwakarma, resolved that two senior first-grade secondary education teachers per province will be elevated to the prestigious “special grade.” This tier, reserved for Nepal’s highest-ranking bureaucrats, will now extend to educators, addressing longstanding grievances over their perceived lower-grade treatment despite decades of service.
“This recognizes the expertise of veteran teachers and incentivizes excellence in the profession,” a subcommittee member stated.
Restructured Teacher Service Framework
The government’s proposed overhaul of public school teacher roles was also advanced:
- Basic Education Level: Teachers for grades 1–5 will be classified as general teachers, while those for grades 6–8 will serve as subject teachers. Both categories will have first, second, and third grades.
- Secondary Education Level: Covering grades 9–12, teachers will similarly be divided into three grades.
Promotions will occur through internal competitions every five years, with remaining advancements tied to performance evaluations, seniority, and work reviews.
Unresolved Issues: Trust Conversion & Hiring quotas
While progress was made on teacher grades, the subcommittee deferred decisions on two contentious issues:
- Transition of Company-Run Schools to Trusts: No timeline was set for schools registered under the Company Act to convert into educational trusts, a reform prioritizing educational goals over profit.
- Teacher Hiring Ratios: The percentage of open versus internal competition for filling teacher vacancies remains undecided, pending further negotiations.
Next Steps
The subcommittee, chaired by MP Bishwakarma, aims to submit its report to the full Education Committee within days. Once ratified, the School Education Bill will proceed to the House floor for final approval.
Teacher unions hailed the special grade provision as “long overdue” but urged swift resolution of pending issues. “Fair hiring practices and a clear path to trust conversion are critical for equitable education,” said a National Teachers’ Association representative.
