Doesn’t reflect all teachers: Yusof
Published on: Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Kota Kinabalu: The misconduct of one or two teachers should not reflect on all, said State Education and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (pic).“Not all teachers are engaged in projects and receiving commissions. A majority sincerely want to serve and educate the children of Sabah despite difficulties in the form of dilapidated schools, having no teachers’ quarters, no water, no power supply and no proper roads,” he said.
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“If there are ‘naughty’ teachers, the number is very small. There are some 46,000 teachers in Sabah. The misconduct of one or two does not portray the overall situation but rather provide a bad image,” he added.
He was responding to a Facebook post which claimed that many teachers are engaged in projects in Sabah with no monitoring from Dr Yusof.
The post claimed that these teachers are paid to teach and manage the education sector and called on Dr Yusof as the Warisan State Information Chief not turn a blind eye to the matter.
“During my speeches I always remind teachers to focus on teaching and the existing guidelines,” said Dr Yusof in a statement, Tuesday.
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He said teachers can find extra income provided it is done outside office hours or outside their teaching time, adding that there should be no conflict of interest. “Teachers who wish to focus on business should resign,” he said.
He said civilians or anyone who knows of teachers involved in business and abuse of power, receiving commissions or graft should report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
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“There have been instances where actions were taken against school principals and teachers for graft and abuse of power.
Earlier in his statement, he explained that although he is the State Minister of Education and Innovation, teachers’ posts are not under his Ministry’s jurisdiction.
“Teachers are under the State Education Department and the Ministry of Education and not under the State Education and Innovation Ministry.
“Of course my Ministry focused on improving education quality in Sabah, as well as other matters related to education and training, innovation, library, human resources and information and communication technology,” he said.
He said his Ministry collaborates with the State Education Department and Education Ministry to ensure there is coordination and good relations to smoothen matters particularly concerning education infrastructure, facilities and contribution to school activities organised by teachers and the Parent-Teachers Association.
“The State Government still has the power to approve land, development plans and occupancy certification,” he said.
He said he understands that many contractors depend on the Education Department’s project.
“Contractors should not only look for school projects but opportunities in other departments and ministries as well.
“There are the State Constituency projects, parliamentary projects, State Rural Development Ministry projects, agriculture, Water Department, Public Works Department, district council projects and many others.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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