Teachers Active In Party Politics Under Scrutiny

The recent step taken by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to dismiss public school teachers involved in party politics has created a ripple among teachers as well as political parties. Minister for Education and Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha has taken such an audacious policy-level decision amidst growing criticisms that the education sector has been in the doldrums with many teachers getting engaged more in politics than in classroom activities. 

The Centre for Education and Human Resource Development (CEHRD) under the ministry has lately written to all the 77 Education Development and Coordination Units to fire the teachers who have been in any political party’s executive committee. It has also requested the local governments to facilitate the process of relieving such teachers of their job. To move the process of dismissing the politically motivated teachers ahead, the CEHRD has solicited complaints against them. The ministry is preparing to take action against other teachers involved in politics as per the code of conduct.

Poor performance

It is undeniable that teachers’ active participation in party politics has been responsible for the poor performance of government schools. As public school teachers are selected on a merit basis, they are competent enough to bring about better results provided they fully dedicate themselves to their profession. A global practice is that teachers are now allowed to remain in active politics in view of its negative effects on the education sector.    

Teaching is a very prestigious profession as teachers have a vital role to play in imparting education to children and bringing about positive changes in the society. Like civil servants, public school teachers enjoy salary, pension and other facilities. At present, there are more than 420,000 teachers working in government schools nationwide. But most of them are found associated with sister wings of different political parties. Their loyalty towards one political party or the other has led to deterioration of the quality of education in schools. This has also eroded their reputation. As many as 90,000 teachers are reported to have been affiliated with the Nepal Teachers’ Association, which is close to the Nepali Congress. Some 80,000 other teachers are associated with the Nepal National Teachers’ Organisation, which is linked with the CPN-UML, while about 50,000 teachers are with All Nepal Teachers’ Association that is connected with the CPN-Maoist Centre. Many other teachers are also associated with the sister organisations of numerous other political parties.

The ministry’s initiative has drawn much appreciation from different sections of society as it may help contribute to improving performance of public schools. The decision is in line with the existing laws. The Education Act, 2028 (with amendment) clearly mentions that school teachers and employees shall face dismissal from their responsibility when they are found engaged in any political party’s executive body. The Education Regulations, 2059 and the Political Party-related Act, 2073 also include provisions for stopping teachers from being involved in party politics. But the problem persists because these laws have not been implemented in an effective manner. Even the proposed Education Bill envisages keeping teachers away from politics with a view to upgrading the quality of school education.   

It is notable that the Patan High Court one year back had issued an order to the government, political parties, teachers and teachers’ organisations to work in compliance with the prevalent laws. However, what is also ironic is that most political parties seem to have attempted to involve teachers in their executive committees. Since teachers get political patronage, they are easily lured into politics, hampering teaching-learning activities. 

In Nepal, education has been one of the top priorities in terms of the state’s investment. But this sector has been unable to gain desired progress. Many parents, guardians and students still seem to prefer private schools over public ones. Even public school teachers and civil servants are found choosing private schools for their children. This clearly indicates that they are rarely credulous in public schools. Some local governments have tried to make their interventions in the education sector by asking teachers to shun party politics as the current constitution has brought the school education under their jurisdiction. Teachers have also been asked to send their children to public schools instead of private ones. However, the efforts geared towards this direction have not been successful.  

Despite the state’s massive investment in the education sector, most government schools have been able to attract a small number of students only. Parents are bound to opt for expensive private schools because government schools rarely have an efficient management. Besides, teachers are found absent in classrooms frequently because of their involvement in activities of the political parties they are associated with. 

Unjustifiable 

There is no doubt that teachers made a significant contribution in different political uprisings aimed at changing the system of governance in the country. Teachers helped raise public awareness about the importance of democracy. They also mobilised people to fight for freedom and rule of law. However, it is unjustifiable for teachers to get actively involved in party politics. They must abide by laws and carry out their responsibilities accordingly. They must not put their foot in two boats. If they are highly motivated towards politics, they can join it in a full-fledged manner by quitting the teaching profession. All education institutions, including schools, will keep grappling with the problem of unwanted politics if teachers are not prevented from being involved in it.

Though the different teachers’ organisations have opposed the ministry’s move, no political parties have appear to have spoken out about this issue. The political parties must support the ministry’s step and stop giving their membership to teachers if the former really want to create a better academic environment in schools. However, teachers should be allowed to form a professional trade union as the constitution guarantees every citizen’s rights and freedoms. 

(The author is a former deputy executive editor of this daily.)