Kathmandu: Amid growing pressure over the ongoing teachers' protest, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday called on agitating teachers to immediately return to work and engage in dialogue with the government. He assured that the state would address their demands—as long as they are feasible and within the financial capacity of the government.

The development came as Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, resigned from her position, adding a new twist to the teachers’ protest movement. Her resignation was submitted to PM Oli, according to her press coordinator Ramji Lamsal.

Thousands of community school teachers have been protesting in Kathmandu for several weeks, urging the government to enact the School Education Act, a long-standing demand aimed at ensuring job security, benefits, and institutional reforms in public education.

Speaking at the 11th National Conference of the Progressive Professors' Organization, Nepal in Kirtipur, PM Oli emphasized that the government remains democratic, not oppressive, and is committed to addressing legitimate issues raised by the professional sector, including teachers' unions.

“The School Education Bill is already under consideration by the parliamentary committee. There’s no need to hit the streets,” Oli said. “The school enrollment campaign has begun. Please go back to school, help enroll students, and check the SEE answer sheets.”

He also criticized the high failure rate in the SEE exams, expressing concern over 52% of students failing, and called on teachers to contribute toward improving the quality of education.

PM Oli warned that the current agitation was hurting students and parents, while also doing little to benefit teachers. He also hinted at a broader political context, saying:

“This is not the time for agitation, especially when regressive elements are on the rise.”

The Prime Minister, who also leads the ruling CPN (UML), urged professors and intellectuals to stand firm against what he described as ultra-leftist, regressive, and disharmonious tendencies threatening Nepal's federal democratic republic.

“Teachers must help distinguish between democracy and anarchy,” he added. “Your role in shaping a healthy, educated, and skilled generation is pivotal for the nation’s future.”

As the political and educational drama unfolds, all eyes are now on how quickly the government and the teachers can come to the negotiation table—and whether the resignation of the education minister will lead to meaningful progress in resolving the crisis.