KUALA LUMPUR – Teachers are facing a mismatch in position and job scopes, and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) wants Senior Education Minister Datuk Radzi Jidin to review the matter.
Cuepacs president Datuk Adnan Mat said it is unacceptable for the teachers who have been promoted to a higher grade to return to work as regular primary school teachers.
“It is inappropriate if head teachers and other officials at the Education Ministry, State Education Department, District Education Offices, and senior assistants are directed to become regular teachers again after being promoted to a higher grade.
“The system that appoints head teachers only for grade DG48 can no longer be used since the current teacher grade increase system is using a ‘time-based’ formula,” Adnan said in a statement.
He also said teachers affected were not developing their careers in line with their grade increase.
“It is appropriate that the grade increase is followed by responsibilities and roles that are more appropriate to recognise the experience and ability of the teacher,” Adnan said.
The Education Ministry should resolve the matter quickly as it affects the development of teachers’ careers, he added.
“This matter needs to be resolved comprehensively, involving all the posts of officers in state education departments, as well as at district education offices.”
Cuepacs has voiced this issue to the education ministry before, but no solution is in sight, Adnan also said.
He also cited the case of a teacher who had to give up his tenured position to become a regular teacher following a grade increase.
“If this matter involves disciplinary problems or was due to a voluntary application by the teacher to return to school as an academic teacher, it would be different.
“The education minister should work together with the Public Service Department to design a better career path for teachers,” he added. – The Vibes, September 8, 2022