Teachers strikes shuts schools, students hit

KATHMANDU:

All the educational institutions across the country were shut down on Sunday due to the indefinite educational strike called by the Nepal Teachers Union and Nepal Educational Republic Forum. 

Teachers unions resorted to shut down the schools after their talks with the Ministry of Education failed to yield an outcome.

District level examinations of Class 8 beginning from today have been hit due to the strike. 

Although the teachers had committed not to agitate by closing the schools, the parents and stakeholders concerned are worried as harsh programmes of Banda are being practiced times and again. 

Although the government said the problems of the temporary teachers would be incorporated through the amendment of the education act, the talks failed in wee hours prompting teachers to go for strike.

Joint meeting of the teachers organisations on Saturday decided for to call the strike beginning from today after the talks were not positive, said Chairman of the Nepal National Teachers Union Dil Bahadur Joshi. 

Meanwhile, preparations are also being made for talks in the presence of political leadership and the parliament for amendment of the education act. RSS

No role in Free Tibet Movement: Kirati

KATHMANDU: Culture Minister Gopal Kirati has denied involvement in the Free Tibet Movement and reiterated his support for one-China policy.

Organising a press conference at the Ministry of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, Minister Kirati trashed media reports, which claim that National Investigation Department (NID) has prepared a report accusing him of involvement in anti-China activities.

“This is a conspiracy aimed at character assassination,” he said, condemning ‘false reports’. “Nepal has always remained equally non-aligned to both of its neighbours — China and India. This is an attack on national sovereignty and integrity and peace and constitution writing processes.”

The minister said he would look into the issue through the Cabinet and take legal action against those involved in defaming him. 

He said using Nepali territory to launch anti-China activities is unacceptable. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs said NID has not prepared any report pointing Kirati’s association with the Tibet movement.

Security upped

KATHMANDU: Metropolitan police has upped security amid Tibetan exiles’ preparations to mark the anniversary of Dalai Lama’s exile from Tibet on March 10. According to SP Rajendra Shrestha, chief of the Metropolitan Police Range, Hanumandhoka, the main focus is on possible sites of anti-China protests like Bouddha.

BILD SAYS AUF WIEDERSEHEN TO PAGE ONE GIRLS

German tabloid Bild has said auf wiedersehen to a 28-year-long series of page one girls.

The newspaper, which has featured around 5000 semi-naked to completely naked women on its inside cover, said ending its policy was "a small step for women ... a big step for all German men," the Daily Mail reported.

Bild's male staff made the momentous decision to end its "embarrassing" sexism while the female staff had the day off.

In its final edition featuring a scantily-clad model, the tabloid wrote: "Of course Bild wants to remain sexy. But in a more modern way."

Bild is the largest tabloid in Germany, and the seventh largest newspaper in the world.