NATIONAL elections are over and a government is in place. What happens from here onwards is at best a matter of conjec- ture. But what has happened already is a matter of a fact; the elections, as always, were held at the cost of the academic process. Pakistan’s educational system, which is already neglected and suffers from official apathy, was once again affected significantly by the electoral exercise.

Teachers were employed to run and oversee the voting process and to perform allied tasks that are necessary to ensure successful elections. Teachers were forced to abandon their primary duty of imparting education. Besides, almost all schools were converted into polling stations, and the whole academic system was shut down one day prior to the elections. Almost all schools were converted into polling stations. The nation’s greatest asset is its student population. How can we envision a bright future when they are not getting what they need?

The trend really needs to be changed. Teachers are hired to teach, and they should be allowed to do that without interruptions. When teachers are pulled away from their primary responsibilities and placed in other, less significant roles, it is unfair to the students.

Whenever an educator declines to participate in elections, census duties, or any other similar obligation, they face threats of arrest warrants or suspension letters. For all national duties, why do the leaders always opt for teachers exclusively? There are other government departments. Rather than involving teachers and schools in election duty or any other national cause, the authorities concerned should think of other options.

Sumaira Hadi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2024