Fired Russian Teacher

RUSSIAN TEACHER FIRED FOR 'AMORAL COMMENTS '

By Stephen Wilson

MOSCOW -- A Russian history teacher, Svetlana Kornaikhova, who works at Gymnasium

Number 4, from the Murmanski region, has been fired for allegedly making

'amoral comments' on a social network. The Headmistress Tatiana Devyakova

stated she had offended some people by her words. The statement was made in

connection with the May 9th Victory parade. Svetlana had written: 'Buy a

uniform, receive a medal but those children who for four years really practice

military life, such as singing songs , meeting veterans in museums don't

even receive gratitude'. The bitter comments were aimed at the often

superficial form of patriotism which surfaces not only on the 9th of May but

pervasively in all areas of life. For instance, 40 medals were granted to

children belonging to an Army Youth Organisation simply for participating

on the Day of Victory Parade. In a way, Svetlana was simply expressing the

sentiments which many people felt in how the Day of Victory is celebrated.

On this day, young school children dawn old military caps and uniforms,

and even staff at the local restaurants are obliged to wear a military cap.

Highly unrealistic films which romanticize or distort the actual events of

Great Patriotic war are presented on television. Even the war veterans refuse

to watch such crude commercialized films.

This patriotism is defined in a vulgar and authoritarian way which instead

of asking : "What actually happened in the war?" threatens "Watch out

what you say about the war! Don't ruin our sweet fantasy!" The history

teacher was summoned to the headmistress's classroom and told, "This

is your last year of work. Frankly speaking, I did not think my comments would

make such an impression. They told me that I had insulted children, but I,

in truth, was annoyed that for several minutes they are granted medals {kids

belonging to a military youth group} and our children who are not in this group

got none .-How much work had they done ? "stated the teacher.

To add insult to injury, the history teacher with 40 years of experience was

offered a new job as a cleaner in the same school. It may well be the case that

the real reason for the dismissal of the teacher was her outspoken comments

and views in defending the underdog. The Headmistress was not available

for comment. She was on holiday. She did not answer her phone.

Local students have signed a petition to fully reinstate the teacher to her post.

Strangely enough, the Head of the Army Youth Group has made a statement

in support of the luckless teacher. This is something entirely unexpected but

very welcome!

The chairman of the teachers union Teacher, Vsevolod Lukhovisky stated:

"Now it has become very popular to fire teachers for 'Amoral behavior '.There

is nothing concrete about this term 'amoral act '. It can include anything a head

wants, such as when a teacher uses a careless expression in class, or when

a teacher raises his or her voice, or a note or photo on a social site. "

Second City Teacher for the past few years has covered many examples of

teachers being dismissed for simply writing a political poem, signing a letter

of protest to the Prime Minister about low wages, putting their photo of

themselves wearing a bikini on a beach or simply for being gay! It is worth pointing

out that the lack of work protection is not confined to schools but extends to other

workplaces. I heard that a manager was dismissed from Rosneft not for

incompetence or a crime but for wearing bright red shoes . She had unwittingly

violated the company's strict dress code!

The case of history teacher Svetlana Kornaikhova has drawn a lot of publicity

and increasing support. The newspaper Novaya Gazetta and Ogonyek have

written articles supporting her. She may well win her case which comes up in

August. Unfortunately, countless other teachers have been dismissed for banal

reasons and we never hear of their cases! They have never been reinstated.

This is why a massive campaign must be launched to secure an effective legal

mechanism for ensuring the protection of teachers' jobs . Unless people fight

back hard they 'll be picked off like lame ducks.