KATHMANDU: The protest led by the Nepal Teachers Federation in Kathmandu has reached its 13th day, with educators nationwide continuing their strike to press for the immediate enactment of the School Education Act.

Since April 2, teachers have been staging demonstrations and sit-ins in the Maitighar-Naya Baneshwor area, defying the government’s instruction to begin student enrollment for the new academic year starting today.

The strike has severely disrupted the national enrollment drive and delayed key academic tasks, such as evaluating answer sheets from the recently held Secondary Education Examination (SEE).

In a statement issued Monday evening, the Federation reaffirmed its position and urged all school principals and teachers to refrain from any official duties. This includes exam paper checking, result publication, admissions, training sessions, and participation in academic programs like seminars and educational trips.

The protest threatens to disrupt the upcoming Grade 12 board exams, scheduled to begin on April 24. The Federation has asked exam center chiefs and invigilators to boycott exam duties until their demands are addressed.

Calling for solidarity, the Federation appealed to students, parents, school management, local authorities, and education stakeholders to back the movement, claiming it is crucial for long-term reforms and improving education quality.

Although two rounds of dialogue have taken place with the Ministry of Education, the Federation accuses the government of failing to take the issue seriously—prompting a continued escalation of their protest.