A manifesto for teachers
TEACHERS Day will be celebrated on May 16 this year. Hopefully it will be a day marked by great significance, re-setting milestones that can redeem the pride and glory of teaching and learning in Malaysia.
I would like to suggest a “manifesto” that I think will ignite hope among citizens who have long lamented the downhill slide of our education system.
Firstly, teachers need to be given their rightful place in nation-building. They must enjoy par excellence renumeration, transparent and just career progression pathways, and be celebrated as shapers of young minds.
Secondly, teachers must perform. Nonperforming teachers must be shown the gate and not be quietly transferred for shelter in remote, unsung schools.
Thirdly, teachers must be tasked with compulsory upskilling achievements through further and continuing education.
Fourthly, teachers in public and private schools must be banned from giving and earning from private tuition. Instead, they should be rewarded with meritorious recognition by the employer for conducting free tuition or coaching the weaker students within the school compounds outside of schooling hours.
Fifth, parents need to stop being overly protective and denying teachers the age-old, trusted confidence to discipline schoolchildren.
Sixth, policymakers must rid the schools of little Napoleons who often have proven to be a nuisance to the education ministries.
Seventh, politicians must be banned from using schools and teachers to further their political agendas. Likewise, religious crusaders must be made out of bounds too.
Eight, our government must allow and nurture creativity to thrive so that teachers can play a meaningful and constructive role in producing generations of good citizens. The political meddling in schools and inhibiting teachers just to stay in power must be whistle-blown.
Ninth, it is about time we make Teachers Day a very significant, meaningful and widely celebrated national day.
Tenth, re-visit hiring, training, and firing parameters. It cannot anymore be driven by antiquated quota systems.
In short, give back to teachers what they deserve and recognise them as vital nation-building players.
Let us as a nation of people proudly celebrate the 2024 Teachers Day. After all, without good buildings, schools still can thrive. But without great teachers no school can exist. JD LOVRENCIEAR Kuala Lumpur