Young Nepalese seek permanent teaching jobs amid job scarcity due to quakes

Children line up to receive food, distributed by charity group Khalsa Aid to the survivors of the earthquakes, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 14, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Govinda Lohani, also from a quake-affected district, is competing for 62 positions in English high school level along with more than a thousand examinees.

"A permanent teacher has a better social standing and there is a security of tenure," Lohani, who has already had five years experience as a temporary teacher, said.

Lohani said that unlike in the private sector where the salary of teachers would depend on the number of students enrolled, and in the public schools the salary is standardized. She said there are also more benefits in the government service.

The 22-year-old Rajesh Gupta said that while he used to work in a private firm with a good salary, he took the examinations for permanent teachers because he believed that there is more security in a government job.

"The medical benefits, insurance and pension are other aspects that attract young educated people to join the government," Gupta said.

Baidya Nath Chaudhary, English teacher from Yuba Sahabhagita High School, said that applicants for permanent teaching jobs are increasing every year.

He said more than 2,000 teachers are competing for 75 positions of lower secondary English teachers.

Achyut Bhandari, who was waiting for his turn to submit his form, said that the number of applicants is higher this year because the possibility of losing a temporary job is more during a crisis situation.

Rupa Kandel, a temporary Nepali language teacher from the western Nepal, said that the competition for permanent teaching jobs is very high this year.

"We temporary teachers are paid only based on our actual teaching period so we are the most affected people at this time of crisis when most classes have been suspended," Kandel said.