Teachers in politics: Are they free to join any party?

I MUST confess that I cannot fully grasp the reasoning for the decision to allow only teachers in certain grades to engage in politics. I am confused by this new policy and its objectives. As is always the problem, subsequent comments on the matter by ministers, politicians, unionists and other groups make it even more mind-boggling.In his Tuesday announcement, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said the move was based on the fact that teachers, at one time, played an important role as community leaders in the country’s political scenario.

“The time has come for them to be allowed to be active again in politics,” he said in a statement.

That makes me wonder what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s reasons were when he decided to ban teachers from taking part in politics during his time.

I mean if teachers had really played an important role as community leaders vis-a-vis politics, why did Dr Mahathir stop them then? It’s a bit confusing, isn’t it? Now the government has decided to lift the ban. The teachers themselves are probably confused too with the ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Yes’ decision.

If I were a teacher, I think I would feel slighted. Why? My freedom of association has not only been curtailed but has been toyed around with by politicians. Surely, as a teacher and educator, I should be able to make my own judgement. They have to trust me more.

Not surprisingly, reactions to the new policy were mixed.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) said allowing graduate teachers to engage in politics should not be at the expense of school children’s education.

Its general secretary Lok Yim Pheng said while the union supported the move, certain things must be adhered to. “Priority should be given to the children’s education — politics should come second.”

Lok said with the move, teachers’ voice on issues would be heard more at the political level and they should be given the opportunity to play a constructive role in politics.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said although this group of teachers would be allowed to engage in politics, they should not spend too much time on it.

He said the reason for not allowing government officers, including this group of teachers, to engage in politics previously was for them to be impartial in their views and to avoid a conflict of interest.

Selangor DAP chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah, however, felt that teachers, a special professional group, should not be involved in politics.

“It is the job of civil servants to help us politicians — not that they also get involved directly in politics,” said Yong, who is also a state executive council member.

Commenting on the new policy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said by allowing teachers to be involved in politics, political leadership in the country could be further strengthened because this group could contribute in terms of intellectual leadership.

“There will be a vacuum in intellectual leadership at the grassroots level if teachers were not allowed to hold (political) positions,” he said.

The Prime Minister said teachers were respected by society because they had better qualifications and knowledge compared to others in a particular locality.

He said leadership that was intellectual in nature and not based on material wealth could also contribute towards the formation of a better political morality among leaders at the grassroots level.

Whatever the views may be, there is one important factor which has not really been discussed. Are teachers given the freedom to choose which party they wish to join or be active in? Will there be any objection from the Education Ministry if they choose to partake in opposition politics? Will they be sidelined in their careers should they support the other side? These questions have not been answered.

Does it mean that, teachers, being government servants, must only be allowed to join parties within the ruling government? If that is the case, then it would make a mockery of our political system. I feel that many eligible graduate teachers may choose not to partake in politics if their allegiance is to the opposition.

That there are about 190,000 graduate teachers throughout the country who are allowed to be involved in politics makes the issue a serious one.

Imagine 190,000 people. The teachers can easily form a political party themselves and be a real force to reckoned with. Many parties, including some in the BN, cannot boast of such a membership.

But this is something that is not likely to  happen. What is important with the new ‘Yes’ decision is to allow the  graduate teachers the  freedom  to  choose  their political alignment and allegiance.  This  will  ensure that they are put in the right frame of mind to perform  better  as educators of  politics   to  their  students.

(Comments can reach the writer at paulsir99@hotmail.com)