‘Don’t mix politics and education’

Many parents and teachers here believe that principals with ties to political parties cannot run schools properly.
Their comments come in the wake of the controversy surrounding Sehar Kamran who was fired from her position as principal of the Pakistan International School Jeddah-English Section for alleged corruption and nepotism.
Kamran also serves as a member of Pakistan's Upper House of Parliament on a Pakistan People’s Party ticket. She was appointed by the Pakistan Embassy in 2009, but now questions its authority to sack her.
“I don’t think there should be any complex relationship between politics and education, especially for a principal,” said Maha Bawazir, a member of the private and international schools committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and an education consultant.
“I don't think it is right to involve politics in the education field because the head of a school usually works with several nationalities and students of different age groups. If a person wants to do this, he or she would definitely not have any time for education.”
Bawazir said the Kingdom hosts people from all over the world because of the holy mosques. “I believe it is important to be aware of this, play it safe and not complicate things.”
“In my opinion, the head of a school should not have any political affiliation,” said Mukhtar Khan, executive director and education consultant at the World Center for Education Consultancy in Riyadh. “He or she will exercise absolute power in the management of the school which will ultimately affect students. It will become an autocratic management where student admissions and teacher appointments will be highly influenced and biased.”
“Such principals will not be answerable to anyone, not listen to anyone, and try to overrule all regulations,” said Khan. “If there are such principals I am sure all these outcomes, as I mentioned, can definitely be observed.”
Asiyah Umar Yousuf, an Indian mother working as an administrative assistant in Jeddah, echoed this view. “Their political affiliation will keep them busy with other work which will ultimately affect their performance. They will also not be able to keep tight control over the performance of teachers.”
“Moreover, people with political affiliations are often surrounded by people looking for favors. In addition, people with political ties unnecessarily favor others to maintain their popularity,” said Yousuf.
Yousuf said that politics and education should be kept separate. “A person juggling the two can’t manage because both roles demand sincere application. One cannot remain a principled principal with another job that requires heavy responsibility.”
However, Areej Al-Yani, a teacher and parent, said there was nothing wrong with principals having political ties. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. Politicians have great leadership qualities and can multitask. It’s certainly not a bad thing if a principal can manage both. Such a principal can use his or her leadership qualities to help students. Not all politicians are corrupt and will harm educational institutions.”