Officials from teachers' and professors' unions close to political parties criticized Minister Pun's decision on Sunday, claiming that it was against the constitution and trade union rights.
What you should know
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Mahabir Pun responded on Monday after criticism of the decision to take action against teachers, professors and employees who join political parties.
He also urged not to miss school due to election campaigning. "I humbly request that you do not miss school due to election campaigning on Falgun 21," he said. Officials of teachers' and professors' unions close to political parties criticized Minister Pun's decision on Sunday, claiming that it was against the constitution and trade union rights. In response to this, Minister of Education Pun said on social media, "No one can take away the rights granted by the constitution. However, I have informed that it will not be allowed to obstruct the operation of schools and universities under the protection of political parties and to play with the future of students."
On Sunday, Minister Pun decided that the ministry would not recognize unions of teachers, professors and employees affiliated with political parties. In a circular to subordinate bodies, he stated that teachers, professors and employees working in government service are not allowed to engage in political activities and that if found to be so, they will be dismissed from their posts. The information and attention letter issued by Pun states, ‘No professional act has given anyone working in such a service the right to engage in political activities other than bargaining for professional rights and interests and I draw attention to the fact that there is a provision for legal action up to and including dismissal from office if found involved in political activities.’
The circular issued by Education Minister Pun states that the ministry has decided not to recognize various associations of teachers, professors and employees that are directly or indirectly mentioned as fraternal organizations or benevolent organizations in the rules of political parties. The ministry has also called for reorganization with legal provisions for the purpose of making associations and organizations active in the education sector, including the Teachers’ Federation, Professors’ Association, of a non-political character, independent and professional in nature.
Minister Pun said that the circular and decision were made after listening to thousands of complaints and complaints from students and parents about the chaos caused by various types of political interference and manipulation in CTEVT, schools and universities. ‘Such unnecessary politics and manipulation is also corruption. Please also see the orders issued by the Supreme Court and the relevant articles of the law. Now, I humbly request you not to stop teaching and learning in schools due to the campaigning for the upcoming election on Falgun 21. There is a Nepali proverb that says, ‘Don’t forget, don’t be afraid,’” he wrote on social media.
The ministry has stated that it has received complaints that professional organizations affiliated with the Nepal Teachers Federation and university professors and employees’ organizations are involved in political activities contrary to professional duties, moral obligations and professional conduct, and that the quality of education is deteriorating due to this. ‘I would like to inform you that the ministry will spare no effort to take action in accordance with the prevailing law if any activities are found to be contrary to professional duties, moral obligations, conduct, sensitivity of the education sector and the spirit of peace in schools or universities,’ the circular issued by Minister Pun said.
The Ministry of Education has been recognizing teacher unions close to political parties in several formal and informal meetings and discussions. The Teachers' Federation is formed by the participation of the constituent members of the teacher organizations affiliated with political parties.
Sumana Shrestha had also started a similar initiative when she became the Minister of Education from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Party in 2002. Immediately after she became the Minister, the Ministry of Education had requested the details of the party's working committees from the Election Commission to identify teachers affiliated with political parties. Shrestha had said that she had requested the details of the political party's executive committees from the Commission so that it would be easier to take action against teachers affiliated with parties at that time. At that time, when the political affiliation of teachers began to be investigated, some had resigned from their teaching posts and some from political parties.
