Alarming rise in parent-teacher attacks
NUTP says the majority of cases occur in urban areas.
THERE have been cases of parents attacking teachers but the majority of them are in urban areas.
Although these numbers have not as yet reached an “alarming” level, they do upset teachers and have an impact on them.
If the matter is not properly addressed, it can ultimately cause discord between teachers and parents, said NUTP president Kamarozaman Abd Razak.
He added that such encounters with parents were sometimes stressful as it affected the teachers’ emotions and dignity.
The NUTP, he said was unhappy with the situation and has asked the Education Ministry to immediately implement a code of ethics for parents.
It would protect the teachers, as well as to maintain a harmonious relationship between both parties.
“We (NUTP) submitted a proposal to the ministry about a year ago, but there has been no development. Therefore, we have decided to take action similar to the ones implemented by developed countries.
“We want to address the issue now before a very serious situation occurs,” Kamarozaman added.
He said this at the recent launch of the CDERT (Civil Defence Response Team), and the conferment of the rank of affiliate officers of the CDERT (Civil Defence Response Team)NUTP, by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim in Kangar.
Kamarozman said the NUTP would take proactive action by obtaining feedback from parents, non-governmental organisations, and discuss the code of ethics with lawyers before submitting the proposal to the ministry.
On the upcoming 2018 Budget, he appealed to the government to increase the allocation for schools, as many of the buildings are between 20 and 30 years old.
They need to be immediately repaired to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
“In efforts to implement the transformation and to create quality human capital, education is very important,” Kamarozaman said, adding that the RM600mil allocation for the maintenance of 10,600 schools nationwide, tabled in the 2017 Budget, was inadequate.
Meanwhile, Shahidan said the establishment of the CDERT at the NUTP level would help smoothen the relief operation in the affected community.
“We have assets that need to be immediately mobilised during disasters.
“The NUTP, with more than 200,000 members, can help smoothen the relief operations,” said Shahidan adding that the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) would be able to provide training including security matters.
“The spirit of volunteerism is very important and I am thankful to NUTP and several non-governmental organisations for participating in the APM which currently has 1.6 million members.
“Our goal to reach two million members this year looks achievable,” he added. – Bernama