NUTP submits resolutions

PETALING JAYA: The National Union of the Teaching Profession has submitted around 50 resolutions to the Government to improve the advancement of teachers in the country.

NUTP secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng was hopeful that more announcements would come soon, following the announcement by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday that more than 1,200 secondary school principals nationwide would be upgraded in their salary scale.

Apart from them, senior assistants and senior assistants at cluster primary schools also benefited from the Prime Minister's announcement, made in conjunction with the Teachers Day celebration.

The pay increment and promotion package announced by Najib, however, left many teachers disappointed as they were not included in the scheme.

Lok said more pressing concerns included the creation of more promotional posts for all teachers, better salaries as well as recognition of senior teachers and for those with postgraduate qualifications.

She said the NUTP had been bombarded by numerous calls from unhappy teachers who felt overlooked for better promotion opportunities.

“The problem started after the teachers got the impression that the entire teaching community would benefit after much media publicity,” she told The Star.

“There was much expectation that everyone would get something and many were angry to find out that the benefits only involved a select few.

“We acknowledge there is a need to look into the welfare of the collective but we advise unhappy members to be patient as we trust the Government is looking at stage-by-stage improvements.”

Calling for shared rewards, a teacher in the Klang Valley said rewarding principals only enlarged the disparity in pay and opportunity between them and ordinary teachers.

“As principals, they already enjoy many promotions and, in reality, their performance depends on the performance of their teaching staff,” she said.

Meanwhile, Education Ministry director-general Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mahmud went on a train ride with students and teachers.

To forge closer ties between the ministry and schools, the DG had pitched the idea to KTM Bhd for him to go to Ipoh and back with the group in conjunction with Teachers' Day.

“This is a unique experience. It is the first time we are celebrating Teachers Day this way,” Abdul Ghafar said while on the ride to Ipoh.

He was accompanied by 30 students and 20 teachers from the 10 vocational/technical schools in the central zone.