‘TEACHERS CAN BE IN POLITICS’
But they need approval from immediate superiors, says Mahdzir
SCHOOL teachers can take part in political activities as long as they receive approval from their immediate superior. Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said: “We do not ban teachers from being involved in politics, but they need to gain the approval of their superior as stated in the circular issued by the ministry,” he said after opening the 25th West Malaysia Malay Teachers Union (KGMMB) triennial annual general meeting here yesterday.
He was commenting on a statement by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who urged teachers to join Umno.
The comment was followed by a question from DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang on whether teachers could join DAP and Pakatan Harapan parties.
Mahdzir said there were many teachers involved in politics, including joining the opposition parties, but most of them did not seek approval from their immediate superior.
On a different note, Mahdzir said the ministry would propose a 50-day leave period for teachers to allow them to perform the haj for the first time.
He said the number of days was 10 days extra from the current 40 days given to teachers.
“KGMMB has proposed a 50day leave for teachers to perform the haj and the ministry wishes to implement it for first-time pilgrims, while for subsequent pilgrimages, the leave will remain at 40 days,” he said.
Earlier at a different programme in Padang Terap, Mahdzir said attempts by DAP to organise a historical event on the party and Penang at a school was inappropriate.
“They had just governed the state…I view this as a manipulative move…They are a political extremist group that has no qualms about politicising anything,” he said.
On another matter, Mahdzir said the ministry would work with the Home Ministry under the National Blue Ocean Strategy to fight drug abuse among students.
This follows a statement from Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohammed that 420 schools were identified as high risk after a large number of students was suspected to be involved in drugs.
Mahdzir said the ministry was ready to cooperate with the Home Ministry to curb drug abuse in school.
It was reported that urine tests conducted by the National AntiDrug Agency last year showed that 1,475 out of 36,675 students tested positive for drugs.