Dear Editor,

Comrade Michael Stewart, former head of the teachers’ association, has tendered apology and resignation to his professional organisation because of his embarrassing conduct at a political rally. But the matter should not end there. In a well-ordered society where the principal of a school is paid from the public purse to teach taxpayers’ children, administer the affairs of the institution with balance and equanimity, treat fairly with the PTA and be an exemplar for the community, this type of public behaviour should be met with stern corrective action.

How can it be proper for a publicly paid educator, in a severely polarised society, to adorn himself with partisan political colours, mount a public platform, join in posturing and spewing scorn on the government and the minister of education? If this is acceptable, then we can imagine another teacher in the same school doing the same thing while wearing the colours of the other contending party. What then would this do to for the integrity of the institution? How might this affect the attitudes of students exposed to this admittedly indiscreet performance of the principal?

I am told by the Ministry of Education that there is no rule to discourage this type of blatant campaigning by teachers. In fact, history is replete with cases in which teachers have behaved this way. Is it any wonder that so many schools are turning out undereducated, aggressive, disrespectful youngsters? Clearly, the classroom is no place for practising politicians, and hopefully, with a changing of the guard there will come a system more concerned about the welfare of students.

Ken Jones

kensjones2002@yahoo.com