The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has suspended its ongoing protest after the government agreed to a nine-point deal addressing their primary demands, including pay, benefits, and job security for temporary and contract teachers.

After three days of negotiations, a Cabinet panel led by Nepal’s Education Minister Raghuji Pant agreed to implement key points proposed by the federation. The decision came with support from the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML parties, as well as a commitment from the House of Representatives’ Education Committee to pass the School Education Bill by June 29, according to The Kathmandu Post.

“We have decided to suspend the educational strike from today,” said federation chair Laxmi Kishor Subedi. “We urge all teachers to resume pending examinations and begin student enrollment campaigns.”

Key elements of the agreement include:

• Lump-sum retirement benefits for all temporary and contract teachers, including ECD facilitators
• Access to subsidised medical treatment at the Civil Service Hospital in Kathmandu
• Grade payments for various teaching positions on par with civil servants
• Free medical treatment for teachers injured during earlier clashes with police

Education Minister Pant acknowledged that implementing the teachers’ demands will place an additional burden of Rs 8 billion on the state.

The teacher protests had been ongoing since April 2, disrupting national enrollment efforts and delaying major academic activities, including grade 12 exams now rescheduled for May 4.

Despite the agreement, the federation warned of renewed protests if the School Education Bill is not passed by the June 29 deadline.

“We believe the commitment will be honoured,” Subedi said. “If it isn’t, we will resume stronger protests.”