TEACHERS SAY NO TO UNIFORM REPRIEVE
Case-by-case concession better as blanket ruling will result in disciplinary issues
THE National Union of the Teaching Profession does not agree with the Education Ministry’s decision to give students a threeweek reprieve from wearing uniforms.
Its president, Aminuddin Awang, told the New Straits Times that concessions should be given only on a case-by-case basis.
“Parents who cannot afford uniforms at this point should be
given an option to appeal to parent-teacher associations for aid (to get uniforms).”
“If the associations can’t provide the aid, concessions should be given to their children to go to school in their physical education/sports attire or any others deemed appropriate or decent.”
He said a blanket ruling for students would undermine the school authority.
“It would cause problems related to disciplinary control.
When they are in uniform, we can keep track of them to some degree and identify their schools by the badges.
“If they are in malls or other places within or outside school hours they can be easily spotted and their activities can be monitored.”
Aminuddin, however, said this would not be the case if such a reprieve was given.
Although the relaxation was only for three weeks, the raging pandemic meant schools could close anytime and no time could be wasted on tracking down truants or ironing out disciplinary issues.
“Teachers and students cannot afford distractions now. Our full focus must be on teaching and learning. We have to cover as much of the syllabus as we can.”
On Wednesday, the Education Ministry said students would be given a reprieve from wearing uniforms, and those who have not gotten the required uniforms could wear any decent and appropriate clothing from March 1 to March 26.
Former Education Ministry director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the move by the ministry was proactive.
“Some parents may have puchased the uniforms but some may not be able to do so either due to financial strain or movement restrictions.
“Nevertheless, students should still dress decently to schools.
“Even before Covid-19, students knew of the appropriate dress code in schools. For instance, they knew that they could not wear slippers to schools.
“Parents should also play their part and ensure that their children are selecting the appropriate attire to wear to school.”
On whether this could qualify as a test case to reconsider proposals to scrap uniforms in the long run, he said this was possible and the reactions from parents, teachers and even the public on social media forums would be the litmus test.
“The conversation on whether school uniforms should be scrapped in the long run would depend on reactions from parents after the three weeks. But it’s up to the ministry.”
Parent Action Group for Education president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the Education Ministry had shown compassion by relaxing the uniform ruling.
“The relaxation is only for three weeks. Its objective is to cushion the burden on parents who are facing wage cuts and extra expenditure.
“In reality, student will want to wear the same clothes as their friends and most parents would be pressured by their kids to get uniforms in time for school.”
She also said primary school pupils, in particular, are too young to abuse the relaxation and play truant.