logo
NUTP welcomes move to ease teacher transfer rules, calls for transparent system

NUTP welcomes move to ease teacher transfer rules, calls for transparent system

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to ease teacher transfer conditions is a long-overdue relief for educators facing pressing personal circumstances, particularly those dealing with family or health-related challenges, said the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP).
NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon said allowing teachers to apply for transfers after just two years of service without additional conditions would have both emotional and professional impacts, especially for those who have waited years to move closer to home.
He said the move would particularly benefit teachers dealing with family or medical issues, enabling them to serve with greater focus and emotional stability.
"We thank Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the Education Ministry for listening to the voices of teachers and making this bold decision.
"It provides immediate relief for those facing urgent family challenges, health concerns, or other pressing circumstances," he told the New Straits Times.
Fouzi added that while not all teachers intend to apply for transfers as soon as they become eligible, the option will significantly assist those in need.
"We believe most teachers want to remain committed to their posts, but in some cases, being able to move closer to home will enable them to perform better and serve more effectively," he said.
However, Fouzi emphasised that a proper system must be in place to prevent the new flexibility from being exploited.
"We hope a dedicated committee can be established to fairly evaluate each application, ensuring transparency and preventing misuse of this opportunity," he said.
Previously, the Education Ministry required teachers to serve at least three years before submitting transfer requests, and even then, applications were subject to strict conditions and limited quotas.
Fadhlina announced the new policy on Friday (May 16) during her speech at the 54th National Teachers' Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
She said the ministry would now accept applications from teachers who have completed two years of service, without any additional conditions.
Commenting further, Fouzi said health issues and divorce were among the main reasons cited by teachers applying for transfers.
"Most of the applications we receive are related to the need for ongoing medical treatment at a specific hospital or family matters such as divorce," he said.
"For instance, in the case of Cikgu Din, his wife was battling cancer, and he wanted to be by her side to care for her. Situations like this demonstrate the importance of considering transfers based on family, health, and even safety concerns."
Last year, the case of Cikgu Din drew national attention after he reportedly developed mental health issues from being separated from his wife, who was undergoing cancer treatment in Kelantan.
His initial transfer request was denied as he had not yet completed the three-year service requirement.
Cikgu Din, who was teaching in Kanowit, Sarawak, had been travelling back and forth every two weeks to care for his wife. The ministry later approved his transfer, allowing him to teach at a school closer to her.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Over 8,500 undocumented children enrolled in national schools
Over 8,500 undocumented children enrolled in national schools

New Straits Times

time7 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Over 8,500 undocumented children enrolled in national schools

KUALA LUMPUR: As of June 30, a total of 8,575 children without identification documents were enrolled in government and government-aided primary and secondary schools nationwide. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the admission of these children was allowed under the Education Ministry's Circular No 1/2009: Admission of Malaysian Citizens' Children Without Documents to School, dated March 11, 2009. "The circular provides flexibility for children without identification documents to be accepted into schools, on the condition that at least one parent is a Malaysian citizen," she said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday. Fadhlina was responding to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), who inquired about the latest statistics on asylum-seeking, refugee or stateless children who have received formal primary or secondary school education, not just in alternative learning centres. As for asylum seekers or refugees, Fadhlina said none were admitted into government or government-aided schools during the same period. Fadhlina said one of the ministry's latest efforts to address this issue includes cooperation with the Home Ministry through the Mekar Didik Programme, in collaboration with the National Registration Department. She said the ministry also called for the support of community leaders, especially members of parliament, through their meet-the-people programmes, to remind the public to register their marriages and their children's births. "This is crucial to resolve the problem of undocumented children, whether in terms of identity or citizenship," she said.

Include financial literacy in school curriculum, says Puchong MP
Include financial literacy in school curriculum, says Puchong MP

New Straits Times

timea day ago

  • New Straits Times

Include financial literacy in school curriculum, says Puchong MP

KUALA LUMPUR: Puchong Member of Parliament Yeo Bee Yin has proposed that financial literacy be included in the school curriculum. She said children and teenagers need to be taught about money management, credit and investment. "I believe that financial literacy is a vital life skill that should be given greater emphasis in the school curriculum. "Hence, I am suggesting that the Finance Ministry collaborate with the Education Ministry to integrate this crucial life skill into the school curriculum," she said when debating the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 in Dewan Rakyat today. In addition, Yeo said a nationwide public awareness campaign should be launched. "The government as a whole must work to improve the financial well-being of the Malaysians. It is not just about knowing what credit options are available, but also about knowing how to manage one's income. "For example, what percentage should be spent, saved or invested? I urge Bank Negara and the relevant ministries to launch a large-scale campaign to promote financial literacy among the public," she said. Earlier, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying tabled the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 for its second reading. Twenty-three members of parliament are expected to take part in the debate. The Consumer Credit Bill 2025 aims to strengthen consumer protection by regulating the credit industry in Malaysia, including overseeing the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) scheme.

A call to help Tamil school programmes
A call to help Tamil school programmes

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

A call to help Tamil school programmes

Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN THE Education Ministry has been urged to allocate special funds for programmes organised for Tamil students, Malaysia Nanban reported. Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations president Datuk N. Sivakumar made the call during the Gombak district-level Senthamizh Vizha competition for Tamil schools held at SJK (T) Batu Caves. Sivakumar, who also heads Dinamik Sinar Kasih Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation, said these types of events must be encouraged for the benefit of student development. The Vizha is held at district, state and national levels as a platform for Tamil school students to showcase their mastery of different skills such as public speaking and debate. The Education Ministry should allocate special funds to support such beneficial events, said Sivakumar. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a, it denotes a separate news item.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store