KALIKOT/ SINDHUPALCHOWK, April 10: Many teachers across the country have shown a keen interest to file their candidacies for various posts in the upcoming local level elections slated for May 14.
After dedicating so many years to the teaching profession, some teachers have decided to switch their profession and join politics.
The country has very few female school principals. Shova Ulak of Chautara, Sindhupalchowk is one of them. Ulak, who was the principal of Shree Ban Devi Primary School, had been into teaching for the past 30 years but she recently resigned from the post.
She has made a decision to file her candidacy for the post of deputy mayor of Chautara-Sanghachokgadhi Municipality. “I spent half of my life teaching children and now I want to invest the rest of my life in politics,” said Ulak, a possible candidate from the Nepali Congress. She has already started visiting the voters. On Monday while she was busy wooing the voters at Syaule, she told Republica, “I have already started my election campaign and now there is no looking back.”
Similarly, Yam Basnet, principal of Sarada Higher Secondary School, Bahrabise, submitted his resignation this week though it is yet to be accepted by the District Education Office. Besides them, there are dozens of teachers who have resigned to file their candidacies for the local election.
In Sindhupalchowk also many talented and experienced teachers are quitting their jobs to join politics. Mani Raj Baral, principal of shree Badi Malika Higher Secondary School (Raskot), Dan Bahadur Bam, principal of Moti Ram Higher Secondary School, Rajendra Nath Yog, principal of Koli Gaun Lower Secondary School and Dhir Bahadur Bista, school inspector at the District Education Office, Kalikot district have publicly announced that they will be filing their candidacies for the local elections.
Mani Raj Baral who has been recommended for the post of mayor in Raskot Municipality said, “I've been teaching for more than past 30 years. I think teaching is also a kind of social service. With the same aim of serving the people, I have decided to register my candidacy for the post of mayor.” Baral says his decision to contest the elections is not guided by the selfish motive of making money. “The school paid me Rs 65,000 a month which is enough for me,” said Baral
The local election which is going to be held almost after two decades has grabbed the attention of many teachers. They have been staking their claims for various posts of the local units. While many have already tendered their resignations, some are still waiting to resign as the parties they are affiliated to are yet to give them tickets.
A large number of teachers from various parties had participated in the local elections of 1993 and 1997 as well.