Dismissed teacher stays put in quarter
Kathmandu, February 18:
Even after his dismissal two years ago, lecturer Gyan Bahadur Hamal seems in no mood to leave the staff quarter at the Sanothimi campus.
According to Dr Khem Nath Koirala, deputy dean of the Department of Education under the Tribhuvan University, Hamal was dismissed with effect from June 7, 2005 after he was found to be working as the principal of the Jana Maitri Campus (JMC), Kuleshwor.
“TU regulations does not allow its lecturers to hold other jobs without seeking approval from the university,” Koirala said.
According to Rudra Dhwoj Khadka, the acting chief of the Sanothimi campus, the campus did not allow him to sign the attendance register, citing a circular issued by the university administration in May, 2005. “He has not been taking classes since then,” Khadka said.
However, the Sanothimi campus administration is still in a dilemma on whether to ask him directly to leave the quarter. Khadka said, “He has promised that he will leave the quarter.” Hamal, however, has appealed for the review of the TU decision, claiming that he had “left the job at the JMC months before the TU handed over a dismissal letter to him.”
“I am waiting for the final decision of the TU on my appeal. The university decision will determine whether I should leave or stay.” The TU provides quarters to four selected teachers, who don’t have their own houses in the capital. “As no teacher leaves the quarter, the deserving teachers are left high and dry,” said a campus union leader. Hamal was appointed the treasurer of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) recently.
Despite the latest appointment, Hamal is not yet ready to leave the quarter. “This is an unpaid job. l will opt for legal consultation on whether to continue holding as the PADT treasurer,” he said. He said the construction of his house at Magar Gaun is almost over. He said he will leave the quarter only if the decision comes against him. “Why only me? There are about 500 teachers holding over one job besides teaching at the TU.”
Story so far
• TU dismissed Gyan Bahadur Hamal after he was found to be working as JMC
principal
• Rules bar TU teachers from holding other jobs without TU nod
• Though dismissed, Hamal has been occupying Sanothimi campus quarter
• Hamal says he will leave the quarter if TU tells him to leave the quarter