Teachers don't lack time to complete syllabus, says NUTP
Published on: Tue, Jun 17, 2025
By: Anne Muhammad, FMT Text Size: NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon suggested that the ministry reassess all high-impact programmes, including those he said only serve to waste the time and emotional efforts of teachers. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has denied that teachers are short on time to complete the syllabus, insisting that total schooling days remain consistent each year. NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon said schools operate according to the official calendar set by the education ministry, with no fewer than 190 school days per year.
Advertisement 'Schools have administrative assistants, department heads, and committee heads to manage each subject. 'Teachers know what they're doing to ensure the success of their students every year. Co-curriculars have been planned by the ministry, education department, district education departments, and schools,' he told FMT. Fouzi was commenting on teachers' concerns that a large portion of the syllabus remained uncompleted despite the academic session already passing the halfway point. Yesterday, Anuar Ahmad of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia claimed that numerous programmes organised by administrators, both within and outside of school, had disrupted teaching schedules. He said the academic session this year was also shorter, with the next one to begin in January. Fouzi said teachers understood their responsibilities and were fully committed to ensuring their students' success, but also acknowledged that some schools ran programmes outside of the yearly plan. 'There is no denying that some schools have not properly considered whether the programmes implemented will have an impact on students' education, or are simply to fulfil the demands of their management,' he said. He suggested that the ministry reassess all high-impact programmes, including those which he said only served to waste the time and emotional efforts of teachers. 'Programmes not scheduled in the calendar don't have to be run. The World Bank report that Malaysian students spend an average of 11 years in school but learn the equivalent of only eight years must be taken into account and acted on by the ministry,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Call for context in student dropout data
PETALING JAYA: Over 27,000 students were reported to have left public schools nationwide last year, a statistic that has drawn concern it may unfairly reflect on teachers and schools if released without context. National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon warned that the way such data is presented could distort public perception. He said statistics should be released with context, not in isolation. 'Looking at the facts, it seems that schools have failed to become effective educational institutions, with 27,000 students dropping out of school. This is not fair to teachers, schools and the education system, because the numbers should be tied to the cause and to parents.' Fouzi said teachers felt demoralised when dropout figures were published without clarification. 'If such data is presented, teachers will definitely feel hurt and disappointed as if they are to blame.' Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim echoed the call for transparency, warning that raw totals could mislead the public into thinking schools are failing. She said authorities should define what 'dropout' means and provide breakdowns by age, region and socioeconomic group, together with explanations of contributing factors such as poverty, mobility or curriculum relevance. Azimah added that failing to distinguish transfers to private or religious schools from genuine dropouts risks inflating the problem. 'If the statistics lump together students who leave government schools with those who leave schooling entirely, it inflates 'dropout' numbers in a misleading way,' she said, stressing that different exit routes require different responses. She urged a broader view of education outcomes, saying that families should monitor attendance and support learning at home. She also said communities can provide mentoring or financial help and ministries must address barriers such as transport, nutrition and school safety. Speaking to theSun on condition of anonymity, a seasoned secondary school teacher in Kelantan said she has witnessed the personal struggles that push students out of school. 'There are reasons why some students drop out of school. Broken family structures, financial problems and learning difficulties are among the problems.' She recalled one pupil who could not read or write and another whose father was in prison while her unemployed mother was not well. The student's elder sister had already left school and the younger siblings did not attend school regularly. Although the teacher believes dropout cases are rising nationwide, she said her school has tried to stem the trend through home visits, parent meetings and fundraising to help pupils continue their studies. She suggested expanding vocational classes under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme to support students who struggle academically. In Sarawak, a secondary school teacher, who also did not want to be named, said rural settings bring unique challenges. She teaches mostly B40 families, including many Iban and less fortunate Chinese households from nearby villages. 'The rural environment has allowed me to see both the strengths of our close-knit community and the challenges our students face in staying in school.' She described 'silent symptoms' of disengagement long before students leave, such as frequent absenteeism, sudden academic decline, withdrawal from classmates and loss of interest in lessons. 'Sometimes they are present physically but already disengaged mentally, much like 'silent resignation' in a workplace,' she said adding that a student had once confided in her that he wanted to leave school to work and support his family. She said financial hardship, caregiving responsibilities, poor academic performance, early marriage and a lack of belief in the value of education were among the main reasons students dropped out. The teacher urged the government to widen financial aid to cover transport and daily expenses, assign more counsellors to rural schools and provide clearer vocational pathways. Reportedly, the Education Ministry in Dewan Rakyat last week confirmed that 27,122 students dropped out of public primary and secondary schools nationwide. The figure comprised 1,496 at the primary level and 25,626 at the secondary level.
Barnama
15 hours ago
- Barnama
ASEAN Navies' City Parade Draws Over 40,000 Visitors In Penang
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Navies' City Parade (ANCP), held in conjunction with the state government's Hari Buletin 4.0 celebration at Padang Kota Lama today, attracted over 40,000 visitors. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) aimed to increase participation and offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the advanced assets and equipment of regional naval fleets. 'The strong turnout, both local and international, reflects the spirit of unity in Penang's diversity,' he said, expressing his gratitude to the RMN for their efforts in ensuring the success of this year's Hari Buletin, during the closing ceremony.
The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
Security guard braves dumpsite stench to earn extra income for family
GUA MUSANG: For the past two years, Wan Azli Wan Abdullah has grown accustomed to the pungent, fishy odour of rubbish as he searches for recyclable items to earn extra income to support his family. The 37-year-old security guard at a private company spends his spare time collecting discarded items at a dumpsite near Kampung Kundur here. "With a salary of RM1,700 a month, it's just not enough to cover living expenses, especially with rising costs. That's why I took this job, even if people look down on me. "I don't mind what others say. I just want to earn halal money to support my wife and children, aged four to 10," he told reporters at the dumpsite recently, adding that among the items he picked up were plastic bottles and cans. Wan Azli, who lives in Kampung Rahmat, said he always took pride in his work, despite being labelled a rubbish collector. "I will spend the week collecting all these items before selling them to scrap dealers. "The most valuable items are copper, which I can sell for RM25 per kg, while beverage cans go for RM3 and plastic bottles for RM0.40 per kg," he said, adding that he could earn up to RM400 a month. Wan Azli said he spent four days a week collecting and separating solid waste from 8am until noon. "Sometimes my father-in-law, Hassan Sudin, 58, joins me in collecting these used items. In fact, there are almost 20 others who also make a living at this dumpsite," he said. – Bernama
