There should be zero tolerance against teachers showing waywardness because this profession demands integrity, discipline, and moral example.
It is unfortunate that cases of indiscipline shown by the teachers in schools, especially those run by the government often come to the fore demanding an exemplary action and corrective measures because educational institutions are meant for honing the young minds by placing unconditional trust in those entrusted with teaching.
It is really intriguing that in yet another case, the Office of the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Rajouri has placed a Teacher Grade-III posted at Government Primary School, Lanjhar, Zone Moughla, under suspension with immediate effect following serious allegations of misconduct, indiscipline, and dereliction of duty.
Reportedly, the action was taken after a report from the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Moughla stated that during an inspection conducted recently, the teacher was allegedly found in an intoxicated condition within the school premises during working hours, adversely affecting the academic environment. This case of a government school teacher allegedly attending duty under the influence of liquor is not a simple disciplinary matter; rather, it should be taken as a wake-up call raising the questions about integrity and sanctity of educational spaces where people send their children to mould their characters and imbibe virtues along with the knowledge which ultimately would shape their future.
It is sad that people with such credentials compromise the trust of society and the damage goes far beyond the classrooms. Apart from the final decision in this case, what remains to be seen is how the government deals with such cases as a whole because the conduct of government servants especially dealing with the public and especially the children raises expectations and therefore a policy change is the need of the hour.
Such cases hint at dismal systemic oversight and subtle support mechanisms within the government framework and therefore the people at helm should take immediate rectifying steps to combat the problem sooner rather than later.
In this case, the order of suspension has mentioned that the aforesaid teacher had previously been served a notice seeking an explanation regarding absence from duty and alleged consumption of liquor during school hours showing that enforcement of rules in such matters is lax because a person having responsibility to shape the future of children should not be allowed to continue in service after he or she was found in an inebriated condition inside the school premises. Giving repeated chances to such an undisciplined employee simply tells about the sordid state of affairs and liberal rules in place, which are marred with serious lacunae.
Like many cases in which the J&K administration has terminated government officials after they were found involved in anti-national activities, the policymakers should also consider something as hard as in the aforesaid cases to ensure that no employee can dare to break rules while on duty.
