Last Tuesday was declared a school free day by the Anambra State Government of Prof Chukwuma Soludo, ostensibly to honour teachers in the state in appreciation of their sacrifices. This led to all primary and secondary schools in the state being shut down.
We understood that schools were asked to send fifteen delegates each to Ekwueme Square Awka for the event.
We support the Anambra State Government on the idea of honouring teachers whose contributions for a better society have never been in doubt. And recalling that they have usually not been paid as well as other professionals, such recognition and honour became very significant.
However, we frown at the subtle political undertone at that event. We’re specifically talking about the aspect where a group of the teachers under the aegis of Solution Parents League were joined by the Association of Private School Owners in an endorsement march in favour of the current government in the state.
To us, this is nothing but a politicization of an otherwise noble event. This political dimension of the rally is fraught with danger as the schools are not places where politics should be introduced. We would not want a situation where a head-teacher or principal begins to fall out with certain teachers who have different political views or who are spouses to known opposition party members. This is the fastest way of polarizing the school system. It is why we frown at that development.
This also comes amid reports that the teachers were asked to bring photocopies of their voter’s card, bios and names of their polling units. Pray, what were those for? Are teachers no longer part of the civil service whose personnel are barred from partisan politics?
Again, why hold this rally on a supposed school day, rather than on a weekend, so as not to disrupt academic activities? This was another minus on the part of the State Government.
We therefore fear that a dangerous trend has been introduced which would only worsen in future. It was wrong for the Anambra State Government to have turned a noble event of acknowledging the sacrifices of teachers to a covert political rally. Whoever originated this idea should stop it forthwith and nip its attendant unsavory consequences in the bud.
We don’t want classroom politics in our state. If the government needs endorsement, the hundreds of politicians out there can happily and readily provide that service.
May this development not be further encouraged as it will do more harm than good to the system.