Teachers told to stay away from politics

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, February 9
Teachers who stand for elections neglect their primary duty, which is to teach, says Biman Bose, left front chairman. Teachers should resign from their post if elected or else stay away from politics, said Bose.
Speaking on the 73rd foundation day of All Bengal Primary Teachers Association (ABPTA) Bose said that, “Teachers should not stand in elections because being a public representative is a full time job. In such a scenario how can they take care of students.”
Bose pointed out those teachers who get elected as MLA’s and MP’s and yet hold on to their teaching posts were creating problems for both students and part-time teachers who fill in for them.
The previous left front chairman Anil Biswas, had also urged teachers not to file nominations for similar reasons during the 2006 assembly polls. But, many teachers like Anjan Bera, Debesh Das and Partha Pratim Biswas did not take heed. Bera and Das went on to win from their constituencies.
Bose also felt that teachers in primary schools were not working to their potential. “It is true that many schools lack infrastructure and teachers can do little. But in schools with no infrastructural problems are our teachers giving their best effort? Well I cannot say yes to this,” said Bose. He also urged teachers to look after the students’ hygiene.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com