Teachers and trade unionism

A.S. JAYAWARDENE

As we celebrate the International Teachers Day, this question is often heard: Should Teachers Resort to Trade Union Action ?

This is one of the topics that had been given at the General Certificate of Advanced Level examination English paper of 2008. Students too are allowed to express their sentiments on this issue at public examination; it is thus I thought of using my pen too in this regard. So that, my message, through this writing, would reach the public, perhaps as an eye opener.

What we were taught during our school days was that teaching is not only a profession; instead it goes beyond it, due to which we call it a dedicated service. Teaching is also one of the noblest professions in the world. It is said a doctor gives a life to an individual and a teacher brightens and models that life. Hence, teachers have been hero-worshipped over the years.

Once I met a teacher who holds an important position in one of the leading schools in the metropolis. As our conversation proceeded I queried from him asking whether this kind of trade union action is fair. He, in an instant replied with a bold ‘yes’ to my bewilderment.

I went on and raised the next question. Is this the particular time and the best way of doing so? Having pronounced his second yes he continued his explanation. If their demands are not met at a juncture like the A/L answer script scrutinizing then they would be deprived of their demands for some more years.

It is at this moment only that the teachers could compel the state to take immediate measures as it causes a great turmoil; were some of the highlights of his prolonged explanation.

It’s true that the teachers had been tricked throughout the history. They also, are worth being treated in its highest measure for the service rendered to the country producing all sorts of professionals to the country as well as to the world.

Some come out with their logic that teachers work only for six hours and carry on unfair trade union action. Even though their length of service is six hours a day, they lose a lot of energy by speaking, walking, writing, correcting books and other various activities. A person who works in an office might not lose his or her energy in similar manner though their length of service is longer than that of teachers.

There are teachers who believe in punctuality, honesty, and commitment. There are teachers who work very hard even after school hours, they correct books prepare lessons etc in order to provide the best of their service. It might be difficult for us to believe the fact that teacher of this nature are still existing in this somersaulted world in an era when their dignity is degrading rapidly, nevertheless still these fact are true.

Therefore, obviously, the grievances of these teachers should be looked into. Personnel in most of the other professions could be replaced without consequences.

If a proper replacement is not made in the teaching profession its repercussions would stretch into many years ahead. It is in this perspective that we see the significance of the service and the gravity of its influence.

In contrast, what of thousands of students who sit for their exams after many years of hard work? Are they meant to the scapegoats for teachers to meet their demands? Teachers’ unions keep on asserting that they are not causing any harm to the students as it is a matter between trade unions and the state. Whatever is said or done, at the end of the day it is students who are made helpless.

Should teachers resort to trade union action? It depends on various grounds. If all the other alternatives are ineffective in resolving their issues, then the teachers have to do so. However, using poor student as a shield in their battle against any party is not reckoned by any means. It’s true that the teachers are involved in a great service. After all, they too, still are human beings, for whom the sky rocketing cost of living affects equally. Had this issue been accounted for?

Hence the responsible parties should come out of their ivory towers to resolve this longstanding chaos. They should not pretend or deceive the unions; instead a comprehensive and a concrete mechanism must be implemented to unravel all the discrepancies so that both teachers and governors could keep at their work with dignity.

The writer is a lecturer at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.