KUALA NERUS, Jan 22 — Teachers must obtain approval from the Education Ministry (MOE) before taking on part-time jobs, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Fadhlina said clear guidelines are already in place.
“Any part-time work they undertake must not interfere with their primary duties or be carried out during official working hours.
“My advice is to focus on the existing teaching and learning process. This is our commitment to enhance the quality of education. We need teachers to remain focused in the classroom,” she said after a meet-and-greet event at the Institute of Teacher Education, Dato’ Razali Ismail Campus, earlier today.
She was responding to concerns about the growing number of education service officers engaging in part-time work.
Meanwhile, she refuted claims that teacher transfer requests are only processed quickly when they go viral on social media.
“That is not true. The process must be followed. No request bypasses the proper procedure (just because it went viral). Our priority at the MOE is ensuring educational needs are met, meaning transfers should not disrupt education. We must consider the overall needs and professionalism of the teachers.
“Any transfer must take into account the educational ecosystem. Our priority remains on issues such as long distances, safety, health, and other factors related to the welfare of teachers.
“Most transfers have been due to long-distance spouse issues,” she said when addressing the concerns of teachers experiencing challenges due to the separation from their spouses.
Fadhlina added that transfer requests are accepted year-round, but only take place during school holidays.
— Bernama
