West Bengal moves to depoliticise teachers, but schools need more than a ban

West Bengal's decision to bar newly joining government schoolteachers from direct political activity and contesting elections may sound debilitating. But its premise - depoliticising aspects of life that have been notoriously politicised for decades - makes it a welcome step. In a state where education has been hardwired to party loyalty, insulating schools is a good start. The real test, however, will be whether the measure improves primary learning, rather than merely curbing political participation and the accompanying 'rewards' that such participation brings in jobs, postings, etc.

But let this 'depoliticisation' not turn into a spree to erect selective barriers. Barring, say, state doctors from contesting polls just because there is a shortage of physicians hardly behoves a state that had at least one distinguished politician in the form of chief minister Bidhan Chandra Roy. Separating professional responsibilities from partisan politics is admirable, and ambitious. Suvendu Adhikari's administration must ensure that this is a consistent institutional move, not a selective restriction. Its legal basis, too, needs scrutiny.

Depoliticisation must extend beyond teachers' personal choices. All governments routinely deploy them for 'administrative' duties that take them away from their primary duty: teaching. NEP 2020 calls for teachers to be spared work unrelated to education, subject to statutory exceptions. Yet, Census 2027 will draw on teachers, including from private schools, after GoI amended Census Rules to permit their deployment. Census work is essential. But why should the burden fall on educators, and not professional enumerators? Depoliticisation means giving teachers time, autonomy and institutional incentive to teach.