Bold and wise decision
It is known to everybody that an education is to acquire knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that help to shape one’s life. That’s why, it is essential for the government to create disciplined, civilized, worthy, qualified, knowledgeable, and skilled citizens in the country keeping in mind the necessity of their roles in the national prosperity and development. However, it seems that the education sector especially public schools and colleges have been simply a place for the political parties to generate their political cadres to be used for their personal and parties’ political interest since the past few decades. In fact, a significant number of teachers are involved in political parties-affiliated teacher’s associations, which are primarily used during elections.
Due to the unproductive political games, the educational quality in the higher educational institutions, such as TU and its affiliated public campuses, are deteriorating by the day. Recently, in one of the events, PM Dahal opined that if the teachers do not engage in active party politics then the party structure of the entire nation would weaken, which drew heavy flak from the people. On the other hand, KMC Mayer, Balendra Shah, has appealed to the concerned political parties not to give any kind of membership related to party affiliation, to the teachers and employees of KMC. Likewise, it was surprising but encouraging to read “Process of ending party politics in education will start soon, says Education Minister” (THT, April 1, Page 1) at a time when the nation is reeling under political instability for the last one-and-half decades due to constitutional flaws about the electoral system. It remains to be seen whether the minister’s decision will be seriously followed and implemented.
An interesting question is whether the senior leaders of major political parties will end party politics in the education sector “End student politics” (THT, March 3, Page 4) and show serious commitment and create conducive environments for a politics-free educational sector where teachers will fulfill their responsibilities as educators, who could be seen and regarded as a source of free, qualitative and innovative education in the nation.