No political programmes in schools disrupting classes

A school is a place for education, not for political programmes; yet such an incident has taken place in Sundarganj Union of Gaibandha. On the same day, allegations have arisen against local BNP leaders for holding political programmes in seven educational institutions. According to reports published in the media yesterday (28 August), these programmes included membership renewal, enrolment of new members and formation of ward committees. It has been reported that classes were disrupted between 10am and 6pm last Wednesday due to these programmes. However, the BNP has claimed that they did not conduct activities in a way that disrupted teaching.

But the schedule issued on Gaibandha BNP’s official pad for committee formation includes the names of several schools in the list of Wednesday’s programmes. Parents as well as BNP grassroots leaders and activists have expressed anger over such activities in schools. They stated that as hundreds of activists entered the schools, classes became impossible to conduct. Many students, unable to attend their classes, had to return home. Pointing out that the party’s image is being damaged, a BNP activist said that such programmes were undertaken because of district-level leaders.

Although debates are now ongoing between BNP’s senior leaders and teachers and parents of the institutions, it is said that the evidence lies with the students themselves. Political activities in educational institutions are not new. Many political parties at times also conduct political activities in the name of organising cultural programmes in schools.

We have all seen before our eyes what has happened to our colleges and universities as a result of being made hostages to politics. Now will schoolchildren too not be spared from this? What do children understand of politics? Why are they being subjected to such harassment?

Why is there no control by BNP or other political parties over their leaders and activists at the local and district-upazila levels? It is because of them that political parties face many questions. In past years too, we have seen educational institutions being turned into political grounds. Are there really no other venues to hold political programmes? At times, for lack of nearby suitable spaces, educational institutions are chosen for political activities, which is entirely inappropriate.

We hope that political parties will be conscious of this matter. Central leadership must provide proper instructions to local-level activists so that they do not carry out any activity that damages the party’s image. All political parties must remain alert in this way. Under no circumstances should political programmes be held that obstruct education. The administration must also play a vigilant role in this regard.