KATHMANDU: A decisive round of talks between the government and protesting teachers is set to take place this morning (Saturday), as confirmed by the Ministry of Education.

On Friday evening, Joint Secretary Yubaraj Poudel issued a press release stating that the teachers had been formally invited for discussions.

Although talks were initially scheduled for Friday, they failed to take place after representatives—including the President of the Teachers’ Federation, Laxmi Kishor Subedi—arrived at the Singha Durbar gate but returned due to not receiving entry passes.

Later, both the Joint Secretary and a DSP arrived at the gate with the necessary passes, but by then the teacher representatives had already left.

The Ministry later stated that talks could not proceed “due to certain reasons.”

According to agitating teachers, Friday’s negotiations fell through after the government unilaterally appointed a teacher representative for the meeting, which they objected to.

Teachers from across the country have been staging demonstrations in Kathmandu for the past 25 days, demanding the immediate enactment of a new Education Act.

The ongoing strike has paralyzed school-level educational activities nationwide, halting student admissions and forcing the postponement of the Grade 12 examination.