MPs irked over ‘arbitrary’ transfer of teachers

Manama : The case of transferring 25 Bahraini female teachers from an elementary school in the Kingdom to another one has irritated the local MPs who considered it an “arbitrary procedure.”

The development comes after a recent decision by Education Ministry to shift several teachers from Budaiya Elementary Girls’ School to other schools.

Budaiya’s parliamentary representative MP Hamad Al Dossary has expressed his disagreement to the decision, describing it as “unjust and arbitrary.”

The matter escalated during the Council’s weekly meeting yesterday when Al Dossary and MP Jalal Kadhem said they were threatened by the Ministry’s undersecretary on the background of their rejection to the decision.

Kadhem said the decision was taken as “a punishment against the teachers,” and accused the Ministry of “utilising columnists in local press to write against the Council of Representatives”.

However, they didn’t mention the official’s name, but this didn’t stop the remaining lawmakers from whispering to each other about the matter.

Minister of Shura Council and Parliament Affairs Ghanim Al Buainain reiterated the high levels of coordination and understanding between State authorities and the legislative councils.

Ministry denies allegations

In a statement issued later during the day, the Education Ministry denied that the decision was arbitrary, explaining that it was an administrative procedure.

Acting Undersecretary of Resources and Services Dr. Mohammed Mubarak Jumaa affirmed that the decision came within the regulations of the Civil Service Bureau and serves the interest of work.

“Unlike what the MPs said, the transfer of teachers isn’t a punishment. It is just an ordinary procedure that’s linked to the needs and requirements of schools,” Dr. Jumaa said in a press statement. He added that such complaints should be reported to the Ministry’s Grievances Committee.