Bekeshev: Teachers Not State Slaves, Attracts to Subbotniks
Kyrgyz Deputy calls for Ombudsman to Address Teacher Work Conditions on Saturdays
Table of Contents
- Kyrgyz Deputy calls for Ombudsman to Address Teacher Work Conditions on Saturdays
- Teachers Fear Reprisal
- Criticism of ‘Subbotniks’
- Ombudsman’s Response
- City Hall Defends Practice
- Kyrgyz Deputy Calls for Ombudsman to Address Teacher Work Conditions on saturdays: A Q&A
- What is the core issue discussed in the article?
- Who is Dastan Bekeshev, and what is his role in this matter?
- Why is the Deputy requesting an investigation into teacher work conditions?
- What are “Subbotniks,” and why are they relevant to this discussion?
- What did the Deputy say about ‘Subbotniks’?
- What is the Ombudsman’s response to the Deputy’s request?
- What is the Bishkek City Hall’s stance on the matter?
- What is the nature of teacher involvement in “subbotniks,” according to City Hall?
- Do teachers fear reprisal for speaking out?
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) — Deputy Dastan Bekeshev is urging Ombudsman Jamil Dzhamanbaev to investigate the practice of requiring teachers to work on Saturdays. Bekeshev raised the issue April 7 during a Kenesh Jogorku commitee meeting focused on budget, economic, and fiscal policy.
Teachers Fear Reprisal
Bekeshev claims he has been approached by numerous teachers and educators who are afraid to speak out publicly, fearing immediate dismissal if they do so.
Criticism of ‘Subbotniks’
The deputy criticized the continued practice of “subbotniks,” a Soviet-era tradition of volunteer community service, frequently enough involving cleaning and maintenance. “We have weekly subbotniks, a good undertaking, invented by Lenin and continued in our self-reliant country in a slightly incorrect form,” Bekeshev said. “Imagine that the teacher works with children for five days, it effectively works free of charge on the sixth day: it cleanses, garbage, mud. This is very wrong.”
He further emphasized the burden on teachers in specialized gardens who work long hours with special needs children. “From morning to night they work, in the night, they work.Saturdays are driven by garbage, they are not guilty of the state, it was like a ministry of Education, but, to our unfortunate, the Ministry of education is silent,” the deputy stated.
Ombudsman’s Response
Dzhamanbaeva responded that the Ombudsman Institute is prepared to take action, but has not yet received any formal complaints regarding the issue.
City Hall Defends Practice
The Bishkek City Hall issued a statement in response to Bekeshev’s comments, clarifying the nature of Saturday activities.
In the conducted subbotniks,high school students take part under the supervision of teachers of a number of municipal schools who clean the territories,including those adjacent to schools. They are not attracted to other areas.
The City Hall added that student and teacher participation in subbotniks is not a weekly occurrence, but rather follows a schedule established by each school.
Kyrgyz Deputy Calls for Ombudsman to Address Teacher Work Conditions on saturdays: A Q&A
This article dives into the recent call by Kyrgyz Deputy Dastan Bekeshev for the ombudsman to investigate the practice of requiring teachers to work on Saturdays. We’ll break down the situation, address concerns, and explore the context of this issue.
What is the core issue discussed in the article?
The main issue highlighted is the practice of requiring teachers in Kyrgyzstan to work on Saturdays. Deputy dastan Bekeshev is urging the Ombudsman to investigate these work conditions. The article focuses on the potential for exploitation and unpaid labor,given the typical demands of teachers’ work.
Who is Dastan Bekeshev, and what is his role in this matter?
Dastan Bekeshev is a Kyrgyz Deputy. He brought the issue of teachers’ Saturday work requirements to the attention of the Ombudsman, Jamil Dzhamanbaev, during a Kenesh Jogorku commitee meeting focusing on budget, economic, and fiscal policy. He appears to be advocating for teachers’ rights and working conditions.
Why is the Deputy requesting an investigation into teacher work conditions?
Deputy Bekeshev is raising concerns about the practice of requiring teachers to work on Saturdays, questioning it’s legality and fairness. He emphasizes the challenges faced by teachers,especially those in specialized gardens,and the potential for exploitation. He also claims that teachers are afraid to speak out publicly due to fear of repercussions.
What are “Subbotniks,” and why are they relevant to this discussion?
“Subbotniks” are a Soviet-era tradition of volunteer community service, frequently enough involving cleaning and maintenance activities. The Deputy criticizes the continued practice of these, implying that if teachers must work on saturdays, they are essentially working for free to provide cleaning and maintenance to the school and its surrounding area.
What did the Deputy say about ‘Subbotniks’?
The Deputy stated that “We have weekly subbotniks, a good undertaking, invented by Lenin and continued in our self-reliant country in a slightly incorrect form,”. He also pointed out that the teachers are effectively working for free on the sixth day.
What is the Ombudsman’s response to the Deputy’s request?
The Ombudsman, Jamil Dzhamanbaev, responded that the Ombudsman Institute is ready to take action. However, as stated in the article, they have not yet received any formal complaints regarding the issue.
What is the Bishkek City Hall‘s stance on the matter?
Bishkek City Hall released a statement defending the practice. They clarify that in the ”subbotniks,” high school students participate under the supervision of some municipal school teachers.
What is the nature of teacher involvement in “subbotniks,” according to City Hall?
According to the Bishkek City Hall, teachers supervise high school students in ”subbotniks”. The activities involve cleaning school territories and adjacent areas. It is indeed also clarified that participation follows a schedule established by each school and is not a weekly occurrence.
