STU: Implement promotion by time-based excellence for teachers
SIBU: Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) is urging the government to reconsider implementing promotion by time-based excellence for teachers similar to that for the implementer group.
STU made the call following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s announcement on Wednesday that the government had agreed to implement promotion by time-based excellence for the second time for the implementer group by shortening the period from 13 years to 10 years from Jan 1 this year.
Najib said this was to provide for better career advancement opportunities for officers in the implementer group for all services, including the uniformed bodies.
STU president Jisin Nyud said: “This is quite shocking because this the second time it is happening.
“If this can be done for the implementer group, the government also should think of shortening the period of promotion by time-based excellence for teachers.
“STU is thus urging the government to reconsider this promotion exercise to be implemented for the teachers so that, like the implementer and irrespective of grades, the period should be shortened.”
At the 16th Civil Service Premier Gathering (MAPPAXVI) in Putrajaya on Wednesday, Najib announced an additional annual salary increment for 2018 effective July 1 for the 1.6 million civil servants.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, had announced several incentives as well for civil servants and pensioners.
Jisin said STU is also happy on another level of promotional grade created, namely Grade DG56, for education service officers who have been on Grade 54 for more than five years and had been providing excellent service.
“This is essential as some of the teachers have been in DG54 for quite sometimes. To go to another higher grade, that is JUSA C is not easy and the chances slim as very few are eligible.”
Jisin also said the prime minister’s announcement on the extension of unrecorded leave for non-Muslims to enable them to fulfill their respective religious activities shows that the government really cares and respects the racial and religious diversity in the country.
This unrecorded leave for a maximum of seven days to take effect from January this year means a lot especially for those who really want to perform their responsibilities and duties according to their religious needs.
He said for teachers who are about to retire and those who have retired, the announcement on the three incentives for the pensioners is something that is unexpected from the government, especially the one-off one per cent increase in pension from July 1 to Dec 31 this year, in addition to the annual two per cent increase given on Jan 1.
Jisin said STU was really happy when Najib announced an additional annual salary increment for 2018 effective July 1 for the 1.6 million civil servants on Wednesday.
“As civil servants, teachers will always be loyal friends of the government. STU hopes that the government will continue to champion their request particularly on the issues faced by the teachers in Sarawak.”