KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s recent announcement on teachers being allowed to enter politics has received severe criticism from education stakeholders who feel politics should be left out of education.
They say that the move will affect the neutrality and impartiality of teachers, as well as compromise their ability to teach effectively in schools.
“The recent directive from the prime minister to allow teachers to enter politics will not benefit students as it will take the focus away from students, who in the end lose out on education,” said Eveline Ling, chairman of the Malaysian Kindergartens Association.
“Teachers already have their hands full with planning and preparing lessons as well as teaching aids for the children, and are required to attend courses to upgrade their skills from time to time.
The government should leave the politics to politicians and allow teachers to be passionate about teaching and not be distracted by politics,” said Ling, who has served the association for the past 30 years.
Her view was echoed by the Parent Action Group for Education.
Its chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said that when parents send their children to school, they expect school leaders and teachers to give the students their undivided attention.
“Teachers often complain that they do not have enough time to prepare lesson plans, attend classes, teach, assess, conduct activities, be present at courses and meetings, and at the same time complete their administrative duties.
“Does the government not realise that students have hardly had a decent education in the past two years? There are several learning gaps that need to be bridged for students to attain the set standards and benchmarks.
Teachers who desire to join politics best leave the teaching profession, rather than bring untold damage to our children and worsen the already brittle education system.”
“Parents only want the best for their children, and this means teachers need to be dedicated, genuine and sincere, willing to hold the hands of the children as they learn,” Noor Azimah stressed.
“We do not want politician wannabes who treat our children as stepping stones for their political careers,” she said.
Ismail Sabri, on January 22, announced that schoolteachers under the Education Ministry nationwide will be allowed to get involved in politics with immediate effect.
He said the permission also involves the staff of the Community Development Division (Kemas).
Political neutrality needed among teachers
The Education Cluster of Civil Society Organisations Platform for Reform expressed its stand that politics should be left out of education, and for education to be left to professionals.
“Teachers as civil servants need to be clear about their responsibilities and roles. Civil servants, as a whole, serve the country and not the government,” said its leader Asha Lim.
“Thus, they need to be neutral. While they can comment and propose changes, to hold a position of office in a political party requires caution.
“If a teacher becomes an election officer, and yet is affiliated to a political party, it compromises their neutrality in being election officers and on their impartiality.”
Lim cautioned that in some cases, a conflict of interest may arise.
“The stress should be on teachers recovering the ‘lost years’ during the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring that students excel in their studies, and not be distracted by politics,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Youth Council president Jufitri Joha stressed that a clear line must be drawn between politics and education.
“Every citizen should be given the right to politics and association. Similarly, Kemas teachers need to differentiate between politics and education,” he said.
“They should also give priority to the education of students and grooming them to be balanced and harmonious human beings.
“As educators they need to be role models and educate political society in a mature, rational and nation-building manner,” said Jufitri.
Guidelines on political involvement important
Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Pembela Islam president Aminuddin Yahya pointed out that guidelines are needed on how politics can be practised among those in the education fraternity.
However, he objected to bringing politics to schools.
“Politics is not a problem because it is the right of all citizens, including holding office in a party.
“However, politics should not be brought to the school as it will interfere with the students’ learning,” he said.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid has reasoned that granting permission for Kemas teachers to be involved in politics does not pose any issue as it had been practised before.
“They are not from the DG grade category, compared to teachers under the Education Ministry, who have a staffing structure, which involves positions at the management level,” he said.
Ismail Sabri has also reminded all teachers and staff of Kemas to not neglect their duties as educators although they can participate in politics.
He said the details of the permitted involvement will be issued out by Kemas and other agencies and referred for approval before serving as a guideline for teachers.
“We are allowing this in respecting the democratic practice while NUTP (National Union of the Teaching Profession) has agreed to it. Although allowed, it should not adversely affect their real duties,” he said. – The Vibes, January 27, 2022
