Cover for teachers on outings
Maszlee: Field trip insurance will be borne by ministry
GEORGE TOWN: Insurance coverage will be provided to teachers who accompany school children for co-curricular activities held outside schools, said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
The insurance was part of the ministry’s long-term initiatives to safeguard the welfare and interests of teachers, he added.
“The insurance will be fully borne by the ministry. We have noted the complaints on the standard operating procedure of teachers having to use their own vehicles to transport students on field trips.
“We are concerned about the welfare of the teachers and in some schools, the teachers have to ferry the students for programmes held outside the school.
“We hope the announcement will bring a sigh of relief to all teachers,” he said in his speech at the national Teachers Day celebration at the Setia SPICE Arena in Bayan Lepas yesterday.
On another matter, Maszlee also said the ministry would look into providing incentives for teachers who want to obtain a Masters or PhD, adding that a discussion with the Public Service Department was ongoing.
“This is another long-term initiative by the ministry. We will seek assistance from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“We want to make sure incentives are given to them,” he added.
Elaborating on the insurance coverage for teachers, Education Ministry director- general Datuk Dr Amin Senin said the proposal would be tabled in Cabinet in two months’ time.
He said Yayasan Guru Malaysia Bhd (YGMB) had been tasked to come up with the proposal.
“There is a group scheme insurance plan for students and now we are taking the next step – to provide it for our teachers as well,” he said.
Commenting on the incentives for teachers who want to take up post-graduate studies, Amin said it was still in discussion with a timeframe set for the matter.
Dr Mahathir launched the the National Teachers Day celebration in Penang this year, which was attended by 3,500 educators.