KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has criticized teachers for failing to acknowledge their role in the alarming failure rate in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), where over half the students did not pass.

Addressing a program in Kathmandu on Friday to mark National Information and Communication Technology Day, Oli expressed dismay that some educators are taking the situation lightly rather than reflecting on the underlying issues.

“A teacher I overheard on social media was claiming that 48% pass rate is satisfactory,” Oli said. “He considered the failure of 52% of students as a casual matter—as if it were something to be proud of.”

The prime minister recounted seeing the teacher’s commentary online, noting that although they have likely never met, the teacher was aggressively criticizing him.

“I don’t even know who he is. But he was busy blaming me, while ignoring the real problem—how we are preparing our students,” he said.

Without naming names, Oli questioned the accountability of the teaching community: “Who taught them? Who guided them? Or are you just busy on Facebook all day?”

Highlighting what he called a problematic mentality among some educators, Oli stressed that such an attitude is detrimental to the country’s youth.

“We’re talking about the future of our young generation being destroyed in Grade 10. Yet some teachers treat it as a joke,” he said.

Despite his own background not being in teaching, Oli said the remarks deeply saddened him.

“If this is the mindset we’re dealing with, how can we expect improvement?” he asked.

The prime minister emphasized that Nepal’s students have immense potential but often lack proper guidance and support.

“They come from remote areas and still perform exceptionally. But talent varies by subject—students need tailored support and counseling, not judgment.”