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New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
NUTP: Parents' role crucial for PdPR participation during Asean Summit
KUALA LUMPUR: Parents' cooperation is vital to ensure students participate actively in their home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) from May 26 to 28, said the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP). Its secretary-general, Fouzi Singon, said NUTP welcomed the government's decision to allow 71 schools in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to implement PdPR during the 46th Asean Summit. "Both teachers and students have experience conducting PdPR from the Covid-19 pandemic, which will help ensure a smoother implementation. "However, NUTP emphasised that parental cooperation is crucial in ensuring students participate actively in their home-based learning sessions. "Teaching and learning do not necessarily have to be conducted entirely online. "It can also be carried out through various methods, including printed modules and assignments prepared for completion at home," he said when contacted. He added that teachers were advised to remain home and be on standby during the two days of PdPR implementation. "Teachers must be aware of their service obligations and understand the need to remain home throughout the official working period. This is part of their professional responsibility." He said the option of replacement school days should be considered, if feasible. "Replacement school days may be a more suitable alternative in some cases, as these could better ensure teacher safety and offer more direct learning benefits to students through face-to-face interaction and clearer understanding of lessons," he said. Earlier, the Education Ministry, in a statement, said 71 schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have been given the green light to implement PdPR from May 26 to 28 in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit. The ministry said the decision was made to ensure learning continued smoothly amid traffic diversions and increased security throughout the summit period. A total of 30 schools in Selangor and 41 in Kuala Lumpur were allowed to implement PdPR. The schools that will implement it in Selangor are SK Lembah Subang, SK Assunta (Satu),SK (L) Bukit Bintang (1), SK Methodist, SK Jalan Selangor (Satu), SK 2 Jalan Selangor, SK Satu Sultan Alam Shah, SK 2 Sultan Alam Shah, SK Sungei Way, SJK(T) Vivekananda, SMK Sri Utama, SMK Lembah Subang, SMK Assunta, SMK (L) Bukit Bintang, SMK Katholik, SMK La Salle, SMK Sultan Abdul Samad, SMK (P) Tmn Petaling, SK Tudm Subang, SK TTDI Jaya, SK Bukit Jelutong, SMK TTDI Jaya, SMK Shah Alam, SMK Bukit Jelutong, SK Cyberjaya, SK Taman Putra Perdana, SK Taman Putra Perdana 2, SJK (C) Union, SMK Cyberjaya and SMK Putra Perdana. The Kuala Lumpur schools that will implement PdPR are SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, SMK Puteri Wilayah, SMK Padang Tembak, SMK Puteri Ampang, SMK Seri Ampang, SMK Puteri Titiwangsa, SMK Seri Titiwangsa, St John Institution, SK Convent 1 and 2 Bukit Nanas, SK St John 1, SJKC Nan Kai, SK Kg Bharu, SK Pendidikan Khas Kg Bharu, SJKT Jalan Fletcher, SK Jalan Kuantan 2, SK Padang Tembak 1, SK Padang Tembak 2, SK Polis Depot, SK Jalan Gurney 1, SK Jalan Gurney 2, SK Jalan Raja Muda, SJKC Lai Meng and SMK Maxwell. Also involved are SMK Kiaramas, SJKT Appar, SJKC Chung Kwok, SK (L) Jalan Batu, SK(P) Jalan Batu, SK Pendidikan Khas Jalan Batu, SJKC Chung Kwok, SK Kiaramas, SMK (P) Bandaraya, SMK (P) Jalan Pudu, SMK (P) Methodist, SJKC Kuen Cheng 1, SK Jalan Hang Tuah, SK (P) Pudu, SJKC Kung Min, SK Jalan Pasar, SK Dato Abu Bakar and SK Sultan Hishamuddin Alam Shah.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
NUTP welcomes move to ease teacher transfer rules, calls for transparent system
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to ease teacher transfer conditions is a long-overdue relief for educators facing pressing personal circumstances, particularly those dealing with family or health-related challenges, said the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP). NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon said allowing teachers to apply for transfers after just two years of service without additional conditions would have both emotional and professional impacts, especially for those who have waited years to move closer to home. He said the move would particularly benefit teachers dealing with family or medical issues, enabling them to serve with greater focus and emotional stability. "We thank Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the Education Ministry for listening to the voices of teachers and making this bold decision. "It provides immediate relief for those facing urgent family challenges, health concerns, or other pressing circumstances," he told the New Straits Times. Fouzi added that while not all teachers intend to apply for transfers as soon as they become eligible, the option will significantly assist those in need. "We believe most teachers want to remain committed to their posts, but in some cases, being able to move closer to home will enable them to perform better and serve more effectively," he said. However, Fouzi emphasised that a proper system must be in place to prevent the new flexibility from being exploited. "We hope a dedicated committee can be established to fairly evaluate each application, ensuring transparency and preventing misuse of this opportunity," he said. Previously, the Education Ministry required teachers to serve at least three years before submitting transfer requests, and even then, applications were subject to strict conditions and limited quotas. Fadhlina announced the new policy on Friday (May 16) during her speech at the 54th National Teachers' Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). She said the ministry would now accept applications from teachers who have completed two years of service, without any additional conditions. Commenting further, Fouzi said health issues and divorce were among the main reasons cited by teachers applying for transfers. "Most of the applications we receive are related to the need for ongoing medical treatment at a specific hospital or family matters such as divorce," he said. "For instance, in the case of Cikgu Din, his wife was battling cancer, and he wanted to be by her side to care for her. Situations like this demonstrate the importance of considering transfers based on family, health, and even safety concerns." Last year, the case of Cikgu Din drew national attention after he reportedly developed mental health issues from being separated from his wife, who was undergoing cancer treatment in Kelantan. His initial transfer request was denied as he had not yet completed the three-year service requirement. Cikgu Din, who was teaching in Kanowit, Sarawak, had been travelling back and forth every two weeks to care for his wife. The ministry later approved his transfer, allowing him to teach at a school closer to her.
The Star
10-05-2025
- General
- The Star
‘Teachers can't give their best without basic needs'
PETALING JAYA: Poor maintenance, outdated facilities and inadequate amenities at some teachers' quarters are dampening educator morale, say educators, with concerns that the impact could undermine the foundation of Malaysia's education system. 'We can't expect teachers to give their best to students when their own basic needs aren't met. 'Poor conditions of teachers' housing 'chips away their motivation and well-being',' said Dr Mohammad Tazli Azizan, who is a co-founder of an establishment that provides training and consultancy services for educators and trainers. 'I've seen firsthand how dedicated teachers push through these challenges, but that's not sustainable. 'It's heartbreaking that in 2025, many teachers, especially in rural Sarawak and other remote areas, still live in quarters that are unsafe and degrading,' he said. Dr Mohammad Tazli said the issue signals systemic problems such as fragmented infrastructure planning, inconsistent funding and lack of urgency. Educational equity would only be possible when teachers' welfare is taken care of, he said. 'If we want quality education for all, we must first ensure teachers have safe, dignified living conditions. No exceptions. 'My hope is that the government commits to a long-term, transparent blueprint for improving quarters, with teachers involved in the planning,' he said, adding that it was about political will and valuing Malaysian educators as the backbone of the nation's future. A group of researchers who recently released an Assessment of Teachers' Perception of Facilities Provision In Teachers' Quarters highlighted that there was an urgent need to address the living conditions at teachers' quarters to ensure a sustainable and conducive housing environment. The survey, which involved teachers' housing in several states in Malaysia, suggested that current facilities may no longer adequately address teachers' concerns regarding security, convenience and accessibility. 'Overall, these findings underscore the need for targeted upgrades to enhance the quality and safety of teachers' quarters. 'Addressing the identified shortcomings in laundry services, cooking facilities and Internet access, along with improvements in security infrastructure, could help increase overall satisfaction and potentially boost occupancy rates in these quarters,' the researchers from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia said in the Planning Malaysia journal. A 2022 survey by the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) found that 45% of rural teachers reported living in quarters with leaking roofs, broken plumbing or electrical hazards. In Sarawak, 200 quarters were deemed 'uninhabitable' as of 2023, while 20% of those in Peninsular Malaysia suffered from severe neglect. Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim agreed that poor conditions of teachers' quarters would impact the quality of education students receive. 'Teaching is a noble profession. Teachers are professionals and should be treated as such. 'The Education Ministry should give its utmost priority to make teachers' quarters as comfortable as possible,' she said when contacted. She urged parents and the community at large to give support to the NUTP and to push for the government to act on teachers' pleas.
