School sacks teacher couple who wed to keep kids off ‘romance’

SRINAGAR : A school in South Kashmir’s Pampore area terminated the services of two of its teachers on their wedding day, arguing that by marrying among colleagues, the couple “were setting a wrong example for students in the school”.

Tariq Ahmad (Bhat) and Sumaya Bashir, two teachers of Muslim Educational Institute of Pampore working there since 2013 and 2010, respectively, were called by the administration the day they were getting married. What was expected to be a congratulatory message turned out to be a termination order.

The school reasoned their marriage was “a bad influence on 2,000 students and 200 staff members in the school”.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the principal, Tariq Ahmad Bhat, confirmed the termination saying “the two teachers were terminated as the faculty took offence to their romance”.

“About five months ago, some faculty members complained that the two teachers were romantically involved but when we called them, they said there was noting like that. However on November 28, they came asking for leave saying they are getting married the next day,” he said.

“We are just concerned about our 2,000 students and 200 staff members,” the principal added.

When asked if the school had laid down any rules against such marriages, authorities denied there were “any preconditions mentioned at the time of appointment”. “There is nothing illegal in marriage, even love marriage is a choice that Islam gives us but they hid it from us when asked about their romantic involvement,” said Bhat. The two teachers are yet to receive their termination orders in writing.

Tariq, who taught maths and science, says the management even made him sign a letter of apology as precondition for considering him for the job again. “They told us we have given a bad name to the school”. His post graduate wife taught Arabic.

“We even gave a treat in the school the day we got engaged. So the question of hiding our relationship does not even arise.”