Rules are rules

The sacking of TU lecturer Gyan Bahadur Hamal almost two years ago after he was found guilty of working as the principal of the Jana Maitri Campus (JMC), Kuleshwor, is, relatively speaking, no big deal. What’s worse, Hamal is still occupying his staff quarter at the Sanothimi Campus which could have been utilised by some deserving teacher. Though the Tribhuvan University (TU) regulations do not permit lecturers to hold other jobs without seeking the university’s approval, hundreds of teachers can be found to be teaching at Kathmandu University or some other private campus, with the violation of the norm getting more rampant at the Central Department level. This brings into focus the teachers’ commitment that seems more inclined towards private campuses.

However, claiming that he had left the JMC job months before the TU handed him the marching order, Hamal has appealed for the review of the TU decision. While delivering the final verdict, the authorities concerned would do well to desist from any sort of vendetta. As this is a pervasive problem with implications, selective action should be avoided. All the other teachers who are contravening the TU regulations are equally guilty and, therefore, qualify for similar action. More importantly, the TU provision of permitting lecturers to teach elsewhere should follow a certain criteria and not become a handly tool for promoting nepotism. Last but not least, crass commercialisation of educational sector has to be stopped right away if the quality of education is to witness plausible improvement.