This is due to the unavailability of other vehicles or lack of funds to hire buses or vans which are expensive. These schools will definately run into financial difficulties if they try to participate in ALL the extra-curricular activities. Then why do they do it? It is common knowledge that most heads of schools do so to project themselves and their schools and sometimes for their personal agenda. Some­times they may even be required to give an explanation for non-participation when there is poor response. So they cut costs!! They limit the number of cars used to reduce the cost of transport and manpower. They do not pay the teachers their normal claims. The teachers are not compensated for the wear and tear of the cars, break­downs or damages to their cars in minor accidents. Usually no insurance policy is taken to cover the trip. The teacher is the loser again and bears all the risks. The schools usually follow the directives by MSSM and the Education Department to participate in the activities organised. Shouldn't they also be responsible for what happened? There are no clear cut rules or guidelines issued concerning the transportation of participants between venues. The participation of schools in too many activities and the problems involved need serious looking into. Steps need to be taken to elevate the difficulties of poor and needy schools so as to enable them to partici­pate within their means. MSSM which collects a fixed sum as MSSM fees from every pupil yearly should let the needy schools keep it for their participation or return a percent­age of the money collected. Lets' not put the blame on the two deceased teachers or criticise them on the incident. They were only obeying orders and they did their best. They died in their line of duty. The authorities must compensate their families and loved ones and not find fault. To the thousands of teachers involved, take this as a warning. Be brave to say "NO" when necessary. Don't take unnecessary risks. You and you alone may be left to face the consequences of any untoward incidents.

The unfortunate car accident which claimed the lives of two conscientious teachers and five out of the 8 students seriously injured on 3 March 2005 has serious implications for teachers throughout the country. It should serve as an "eye-opener" and warning to all involved in organising and participating in the various numerous extra curricular activities at various venues where trans­portation of participants is required. A noble deed by the two dedicated and committed teachers to do their school proud ended in a tragedy. Why did it happen? Who is to be blamed? For umpteen years teachers have been forced, seldom or never of their own free will, to ferry pupils in their own cars from their schools to participate in extra-curricular activities organised at venues near and far from their schools. The activities are sports and games organised by the Malaysian Sports Council (MSSM) and various other numerous extra-curricular activities and projects organised by various organisations and the Education Department. Having been directed by the head of the school (usually verbal instructions) to use their cars as transport for their student participants, very few or none dare to say "NO" for fear of incurring the displeasure of the Head which in turn will have repercussious on their lives and careers in the school for "not co-operating". The public seems to be shocked that eight students and their two teachers were crammed into a Proton Wira. Some have even criticised the teachers for their act. Well, they do not realise that this is quite a common and normal accepted practice which has been going on all the while in small and medium sized schools especially in the rural areas.

NUTP'S STAND

Many year ago due to the disatisfaction expressed by teachers against the MSSM (Malaysian Schools Sports Council) duties assigned to them, NUTP made the following representations to the Ministry of Education:

1. MSSM duties should be considered as part of the formal duties of teachers.
2. As such the teachers assigned to MSSM duties by the school should be allowed to make claims according to the rates stated in the Government General Orders.
3. All teachers involved in such activities should be provided with insurance coverage against all un­toward incidents in their course of duty.

The Ministry's stand was that MSSM was an independant organisation and not under the Ministry of Education. As such MSSM duties cannot be deemed as part of the teachers formal duties. Teachers were therefore not eligible to make the necessary claims according to the Government General Orders. All claims must be made to MSSM which has its own rates. It was also emphasised that all MSSM duties are car­ried out on a voluntary basis by the teachers.

NUTP has informed all its members concerning the above stand of the Ministry and advised them to use their own judgement and discretion concerning their involvement in MSSM activities. NUTP Secretary Gen­eral Lok Yim Pheng has said that this matter and the fatal accident will be brought up for discussion with the Ministry of Education at their next meeting.