The Nepali proverb that no field, no grain, only a plow is on the shoulder is very consistent with the current state of education. Also, the number of students in government schools is decreasing day by day, and teachers are on strike at this crucial time of admission.

For 11 days, teachers have been continuously on the road. That is, the plow is on the shoulder, but the field to be plowed is disappearing, let the fruitful grain go away. This situation has remained for some time now, most of the government schools will not have students. Who will teach then? And why teach? This is not just a superficial question – it is a serious concern for the existence of public education.

The ongoing movement under the leadership of the Nepal Teachers Federation is not only a fight for the rights of the teaching profession, it is also a campaign to protect the future of education. The fact that the government, which is responsible for running the state, does not take the 24-point demands of the teachers seriously, spends time in the name of negotiations and remains silent on the core issue of education shows its insensitivity. Along with the bright intentions of the

movement, there are also some dark sides, which can be fatal to all of us if ignored. When schools are closed due to protests, students' studies are continuously disrupted. Especially children from marginalized communities who study in public schools in rural areas are more affected by this. This time of the year is the time for admissions, preparing for new classes and making educational plans – but the teachers are on strike, the government is silent.

To turn this challenging time in a positive direction, teachers need to mix creativity in the form of movement. It is the need of the moment to start a campaign that can go to schools and conduct public awareness programs along with teaching, to convey the message of the movement to students, parents and the community. Within the school, teachers expressing their dissatisfaction in a disciplined and creative manner can make the original purpose of the movement more meaningful by integrating education and movement. Only a people-connected, student-centered movement can be sustainable.

A deeper look at the root of the problem reveals that most of the big leaders, ministers and people directly or indirectly connected with political parties have huge investments in private schools. Foreign Minister Arju Rana Deuba's 'Ulions' school is just one example of this. Many such leaders are directly involved as directors, partners or patrons of private educational institutions. The education mafia has flourished under the protection of these ruling leaders. In such a situation, it is not surprising that the government cannot or does not intervene in policy in favor of public education, it is certainly worrying. The Minister of Education publicly saying that 'teachers' movement is illegal' is not only an insult to teachers, but also an attack on public education.

This movement is not only a matter of self-respect of teachers, but also an appeal to preserve the public character of education. Ignoring the demands of the teachers means gradually pushing the education system towards privatization. If the state does not listen to the voice of the teacher, there is a danger that the adage that there will be no field or grain will become a reality in the future - where there will be schools, but there will be no students.

– Santosh Simkhada , Tokyo, Japan