The Malaysian Insight

FEAR of punishment, including being transferred or sacked, is stopping teachers from speaking openly about their problems, said principals and an influential teachers’ association.

They told The Malaysian Insight that those who speak out faced seven punishments – demotion, transfer, written or verbal warnings, no increment and “retraining”. In more severe cases, they are sacked.

They have also received phone calls from the Education Ministry if they say something against the minister or deputy.

United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) president Ong Chiow Chuan said at the 68th Jiao Zong congress recently several principals received warnings from the ministry after they complained to the media about the shortage of teachers in Chinese schools.

The principals were warned not to speak to the media, he added.

Ong recently criticised Pakatan Harapan for its slow pace of reforms and continued use of racial policies inherited from the previous government.

He said the new government has failed to emphasise equality for all.

A principal, who did not want to be named, said restrictions on what teachers could say in public have tightened under PH.

Although there were restrictions on civil servants in the past, they were not strictly enforced, he said.

“Now it is impossible to talk about negative issues,” he said.

“We are civil servants. Even if what we talk to the media about are problems actually faced by the school, we will held to account and have to write a report. The PH government might claim that there is freedom of speech but principals and teachers are not allowed to talk about negative things to the media.

“We are all controlled by the Civil Service Regulations (Perintah Am). Frankly speaking, after changing the government, it has been stricter.

“If the principal and the teacher are in conflict with the education minister or the deputy, they will receive a call. They will be asked to retract their comments,” said the principal.

This has inculcated a fear of speaking out among educators.

Even those in the teaching union are not allowed to speak to media, he added.

“It is expected that there will be problems if one is to reform the education sector. Issues, such as changes from white shoes to black, MUET courses, the shortage of teachers, etc.

“Although the ministry said the teachers’ workload will be reduced by 30%, the workload has been transferred to principals and their assistants.”

Recently, Ong in his speech at the 68th Jiao Zong congress urged the government to review cases where principals were sanctioned for speaking up.

“Some principals received warnings after they spoke to the press about the shortage of teachers.

“These incidents of suppressing freedom of expression have occurred since the previous government and it has not changed.

“The new government has continued this improper practice. This is not in line with the thinking of the new government that emphasises transparency, listening to public opinion and freedom of speech.”

NUTP secretary-general Harry Tan said the ministry must work with teachers to solve problems so that everyone can progress together.

“Teachers have numerous problems but the important thing is the ministry must improve engagement with the teachers to solve them.

“It must make it a point to resolve the problems at the grassroots level so that everyone can move forward together. For example, redundant paperwork takes time (out of their pupils).

“Everyone in the ministry must constantly review the paperwork so that there is a win-win situation where everyone is able to use the information and not for the officials in the ministry only,” said Tan. – June 3, 2019.