KATHMANDU: The Maoist Centre, Nepal’s main opposition party, has urged the government to initiate meaningful talks with teachers who are peacefully protesting for the implementation of the School Education Act, along with other demands.

In a statement, the party’s vice-chairman and spokesperson, Agni Prasad Sapkota, criticized the government’s handling of the ongoing protests led by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, which marked its 26th day today. He condemned the government’s efforts to suppress the protest rather than addressing the core issues at hand.

“The government’s actions against the teachers have deeply harmed the dignity of not only the teaching community but the entire intellectual sector,” the statement read. “This reflects gross negligence and irresponsibility, violating the Supreme Court’s directive to resolve the issue.”

Sapkota urged the government to engage in genuine and constructive discussions with the protesting teachers. He called for a swift resolution of their concerns and for an environment to be created that would allow teachers to return to their classrooms without further delay.

Sapkota also expressed his wishes for the quick recovery of the teachers and media personnel who were injured during Sunday’s protests.