‘Teachers’ salary study ready by month-end’
KOTA BARU: A committee from the Education Ministry looking into a new pay scale for teachers is expected to complete its study by monthend.
Committee chairman Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said he would table the recommendations to Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid after meeting stakeholders.
“I was appointed by Mahdzir to head the committee looking into the aspects and methods of the salary scale for consideration (by the government).
“We are in the process of doing so and have held discussions with the stakeholders.
“I want to complete it as soon as possible, probably by month-end, and we will table it to the minister,” he said after a meeting with teachers at the Kelantan Education Department Complex in Bandar Baru Tunjong here yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, at the launch of the 45th national-level Teachers Day celebration earlier this year, had asked the ministry to look into improving the salary schemes for teachers at all levels in recognition of their contributions and service.
Zahid said recognition of teachers should not be only through speeches made at Teachers Day celebrations, but should also be translated
Education Department director into a better pay scheme.
Kamalanathan said Mahdzir understood the issue as he was formerly a teacher and principal.
On another matter, Kamalanathan reminded teachers to control their emotions when taking disciplinary action against students.
He said this was important as each ( fourth from right)
Kota Baru, yesterday. With him is Kelantan ( fifth from right). Pic by Zaman Huri Isa
student behaved differently, and teachers must understand them and be able to handle the situation.
“You can be strict, but cannot injure students.
“The school administration and teachers must sit down with parents to resolve problems in schools,” he said.
Kamalanathan was commenting on an incident in Tanah Merah, where a student was injured after she was allegedly slapped three times by a teacher last Tuesday.
The Form Three student suffered nerve problems and was admitted to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here.