NUTP rose to the occasion once again as a caring organisation and took the necessary steps for the union to play its part, together with all the other voluntary organisations, to provide assistance, comfort and consolation to the thousands of un­fortunate victims of TSUNAMI, the largest natural disaster experienced by Malaysia to date.

An appeal was made to all its mem­bers to volunteer their services and assistance to any of the voluntary organisations involved in relief work. They were also encouraged to do­nate generously towards any of the major relief funds including NUTP's own TSUNAMI relief fund.

The President Ismail Nihat, Secre­tary General Lok Yim Pheng and local NUTP leaders visited about 1, 000 school children and teachers affected by Tsunami in the three northern states of Perlis, Kedah and Penang. Amongst the teachers were some who had lost almost all their possessions including their houses.

NUTP has distributed about RM45, 000 to deserving cases to date and will try to raise more funds to try and provide more aid especially to the school children greatly affected by the TSUNAMI.

NUTP AID FOR KEDAH VICTIMS		Disaster aid' for students, too NUTP to review its welfare fund PENANG: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) will review its welfare fund guide­lines to allow it to give aid to stu­dents affected by disasters. Its president Ismail Nihat said cur­rently the guidelines forbid them from using the fund for purposes other than the welfare of teachers. The welfare fund, set up in 1999, among others provide the next of kin of teachers immediate aid of RM 1,000 for funeral expenses for natural death or RM2,000 for acci­dental deaths. TSUNAMI AID : Ismail (left) distributing cash aid to students at SK Permatang Damar Laut affected by the tsunami disaster with Penang NUTP branch secretary Abu Haniffa Naina Mohd.
Teachers of Seri Kuala Primary School had to use the school canteen as classrooms as part of the school building had been destroyed by the Tsunami.	NUTP lends a hand by giving out donations to Tsunami victims at Seri Kuala Primary School, witnessed by the Kuala Muda/Yan District Education officers

NUTP AID FOR PENANG VICTIMS
NUTP Officials with students who received aid in penang.	Joy expressed by students who received cash aid from NUTP.
Consolation and motivation session by NUTP president in penang	Mdm.Lok, Secretary General NUTP and Mr.Lim Tzong, chairman Penang Branch presenting cash aid in penang.

Ministry to educate 100 trainee teachers from Aceh

KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia will bring 100 trainee teachers from Aceh and train them at colleges here as part of the effort to assist the tsunami-hit district. Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein who announced this yesterday, said a list of potential candidates was being prepared.

Education Deputy Director-General (schools) Datuk Kusaini Hasbullah will lead a four-member team with representatives from the Teachers Training Division, Schools Division as well as from Policy and Research, to Aceh tomorrow to work out the details, he said. "Datuk Kusaini will meet representatives from the Aceh government. In my discussion with the acting governor of Aceh last month, he indicated that 100 trainees would be sent here.

I said it would not be a problem. I have already spoken to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and he has asked that some flexibility be given to them," he told reporters here.

On Jan 24, Hishammuddin said that there was no point in Malaysia helping to build schools in Aceh if there was a shortage of teachers there following the Dec 26 disaster.