At the end of July, the Government of Tajikistan approved the draft law "On the status of a teacher" and sent it to the country's parliament for consideration.

Asia-Plus reviewed the contents of the draft law. We explain its key provisions.

The development of the project began on behalf of President Emomali Rahmon. In his speech on the occasion of Knowledge Day last year, he drew attention to the problems in the field of education and expressed concern about the decline in the prestige and status of teachers in society. It was then that the Head of the State instructed the relevant structures to prepare a draft of this law.

Protection of the honor, dignity and rights of the teacher

The draft law consists of 6 chapters and 16 articles. Article 4 states that the honor and dignity of a teacher are inviolable, and their respect is ensured by the State and society. Actions aimed directly or indirectly at belittling the honor and dignity of the teacher are prohibited.

The section on teachers' rights notes that teachers have the right to demand proper working conditions from the management of an educational institution, and respectful treatment from students and their parents.

It is also emphasized that during their teaching activities, teachers may postpone compulsory military service in accordance with the law.

Teachers, regardless of reaching retirement age, have the right to continue teaching.

It is forbidden to involve teachers in clean-up activities and fundraising

According to the draft, the state guarantees teachers freedom of professional activity by providing them with educational and methodological materials, visual aids, technical means and other necessary resources.

"It is prohibited to involve teachers in activities unrelated to the learning and upbringing process. The professional activity of a teacher is subject to verification and control only by authorized state bodies in the field of education, science, primary and secondary vocational education," the draft law says.

In addition, the relevant authorities should not involve teachers in work unrelated to the educational process.

"Teachers should not be involved in selling school uniforms, military conscription, collecting funds for taxes, subscribing to newspapers and magazines, selling tickets to cultural and entertainment events, as well as agricultural work," the draft states.

In addition, the teacher has no right to demand money from students for: tuition, repairs, subscriptions to publications, open lessons and various holidays, as well as for: certification, transition and graduation, trips to the theater and cinema, landscaping, purchase of educational and methodological materials, etc.

It should be noted that in schools in Tajikistan, teachers are often involved in raising funds for classroom repairs, the purchase of educational materials, theater and cinema tickets, as well as for various events. This regularly provokes criticism from both society and the teachers themselves.

On September 1 last year, President Emomali Rahmon demanded that the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Science "resolutely put an end to such cases."

"Collecting money through teachers for events, repairs, subscriptions to various publications, and the like reduces the teacher's authority in the eyes of society," the President said.

Do not delay the payment of salaries and vacation pay.

It should be noted that in Tajikistan, with the onset of summer holidays, teachers complain about non-payment of vacation pay.

The draft law "On the status of teachers" emphasizes that «it is prohibited to delay the payment of salaries and vacation pay to teachers." It is also prohibited to withhold funds from teachers' salaries for subscriptions to non-core publications, landscaping, cultural events, the purchase of educational and methodological materials, visual aids, technical equipment and other educational equipment».

The authorities have no right to demand money from teachers for all this.

Protecting teachers from insults, violence and pressure

Article 10 of the draft emphasizes that "when performing professional duties, teachers are protected from interference by inappropriate authorities, insults, violence and pressure."

Also, the teacher should not be excluded from the educational process under the influence of parents, their representatives or individuals.

Government agencies, officials, as well as individuals and legal entities are required to take measures to protect the inviolability of teachers' professional activities.

It is worth noting that in the past, there have been cases of teachers being beaten by students and their parents, as reported by the media. In this regard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs opened criminal cases in two cases.

Creating conditions and providing benefits

According to the draft, local authorities are required to provide teachers working in rural areas with housing or rental housing at the expense of the local budget, as well as to allocate land plots for the construction of an apartment building as a matter of priority.

Teachers of state preschool and general education institutions are also exempt from paying land tax. Every year, they are provided with an amount equal to one calculated indicator (currently it is 75 somoni) to pay for utilities.

In addition, teachers are encouraged by government and industry awards. Every year, schools hold a competition "Exemplary teacher of an educational institution", the winners of which are awarded gifts and cash prizes.

It is also indicated that teachers of general education institutions whose students take 1st, 2nd or 3rd places at national and international Olympiads and competitions should be paid a 20% salary supplement during the next academic year.

The section on the duties of teachers states that they are obliged to carry out the process of education and upbringing in accordance with the legislation of Tajikistan and not to commit acts that degrade the honor and dignity of the teacher in society.