KGBS says ‘no’ to CPR a compulsory subject in schools
SIBU: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union ( KGBS) rejects the suggestion from a prominent social activist that the government should make Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) a compulsory subject in all schools and institutions of higher learning.
Its president Ahmad Malie said while the idea was noble, it could create additional burden for teachers who might have to attend courses related to CPR.
He said the social activist could perhaps obtain permission from the Ministry of Education to give periodic talks or courses on the subject in schools or educational institutions.
“When it ( CPR) is taught as a compulsory subject, it will certainly involve time (to be allotted) in the weekly schedule for implementation.
“At the end of the day, it will be the teachers who will have to walk the extra mile to ensure the subject is smoothly implemented,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Ahmad said they rejected the suggestion as teachers were not CPR experts.
Social activist Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon, who is also St John Ambulance Sarawak Council chairman, has appealed to the government to make CPR a compulsory subject in all schools and institutions of higher learning in the country.
Ang said he was confident the new federal government would not only give its support to his proposal, but also implement it in the shortest possible time.
He said in a statement on Wednesday that there was absolutely no harm in starting with schools, but students in institutions of higher learning would also benefit, and should be equally trained in CPR.
He also urged the government in particular, the Education Ministry not to accept the suggestion without holding a town hall session with teachers unions on this issue.