Two teachers on hunger strike inside school premises, serious questions raised over the transfer process
Aagya Khabar, Sindhuli
The decision made by Kamalamai Municipality on the 16th of Saun (July 31) to transfer several teachers has stirred unrest in Sindhuli’s education sector. Two teachers, expressing strong disagreement with the decision, have begun a hunger strike inside their school premises, while teacher unions appear to be divided on the issue.
Shankar Prasad Dhakal of Gaumati Secondary School and Bishnu Prasad Phuyal, who is also the chairperson of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation in Sindhuli, have claimed to be victims of injustice and initiated their protest through a hunger strike. They allege serious irregularities in the transfer decision and have chosen the school premises to express their dissent.
Most Teachers Complied, Two Resist Transfer
Out of the 15 teachers transferred as per the municipality’s decision, 13 have already reported to their new assignments. However, the refusal of the remaining two teachers to accept the transfer and their decision to protest has intensified the controversy.
This incident has not only sparked debate within the educational community but has also split teacher unions into opposing camps. Some unions claim the transfer process was legitimate and conducted with mutual consent, while others allege it was manipulated under political pressure and lacked procedural fairness.
“Personal Hunger Strike, Not Union’s Decision” – Arun Kumar Thing
Arun Kumar Thing, Chairperson of the Nepal Teachers’ Association, Sindhuli, has expressed clear disagreement with the hunger strike.
“The hunger strike is a personal decision, not that of the association,” he said. “The transfer was carried out with the consent of professional unions. Rejecting it personally goes against organizational discipline.”
He added that if the protest had been pre-informed, the organization could have held internal discussions and taken an official stance.
“Lack of Communication Made Things Complicated” – Gunabikram Kunwar
Gunabikram Kunwar, Chairperson of the Nepal National Teachers’ Organization, Sindhuli, appears more cautious.
“Had the teachers communicated beforehand, the situation could have been handled more smoothly,” he said. “We are currently in the process of dialogue. There should be communication between the municipality and the teachers.”
He emphasized the need for transparency in the transfer process, building trust among all parties, and finding ways to prevent future conflicts.
“Transfer Influenced by Political Pressure” – Santosh Kumar Shrestha
However, Santosh Kumar Shrestha, Chairperson of the Unified All Nepal Teachers’ Organization, Sindhuli, presents a completely different view. According to him, although a task force was supposed to be formed to match positions before the transfer decision as per the education committee meeting, the mayor and ward chairpersons bypassed this and made transfers under political pressure.
“Thirteen teachers were posted as per their convenience, while the remaining two felt victimized. That proves there’s a problem in the process itself,” Shrestha said. He also expressed solidarity with the teachers on hunger strike, calling their demand just and fair.
Conclusion: Dialogue or Conflict?
This incident has reignited debates around transparency in transfers, adherence to due process, coordination among stakeholders, and political interference in education.
On one hand, the municipality maintains that the process followed the rules, while on the other, the protesting teachers and some unions argue the decision was biased and politically motivated.
Now the question arises—will this dispute be resolved through dialogue, or will it escalate into deeper unrest and movements among teachers?
If the municipality fails to initiate timely dialogue, the dispute could deepen. With teacher unions divided, the issue may take a more dramatic turn.
