Published on: Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah said teachers should give their full focus to improving the country's education quality than dabbling in politics which will take up much of their time.
Its Deputy Chairperson, Christina Liew, said teachers are professionals who should be impartial, above politics, and that their job is to focus on formulating education policies beneficial to students.
"They (teachers) are supposed to impart knowledge and educate our youth, to equate them with the best education and skills for their future survival, so they can be useful in our nation building when they graduate.
"How can students be successful in life later if their teachers are only interested in politics, instead of focusing on providing quality education to them? Our nation is going backward with this ridiculous policy."
Liew was responding to reports that beginning Aug. 1 graduate education service officers (teachers) on grades DG14 to DG48 will be permitted to engage in politics.
This was announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan who said the move was based on the fact that teachers at one time played an important role as community leaders in the country's political scenario.
He said the time has come for them to be allowed to be active again in politics, adding for the purpose Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin had consented to an amendment to Regulation 21 of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
"Who is to check on these teachers to ensure they do not compromise their work as educators with politics? Who can guarantee the policy will not be abused?," asked Liew.
Let the politicians take care of politics and teachers take care of education, she added.
