Getting to the bottom of books and bags

Workbooks are a big business, especially in primary schools. (File photo)

While stakeholders are blaming the publishing industry for using unethical means to push their titles, industry players deny they’re at fault.

SOME schools are allegedly asking for kickbacks from publishing firms, and demanding that their pupils buy extra books.

The workbooks are optional, but parents who refuse are subjected to taunts for not ‘cooperating’ or even told to transfer their child to another school, say those in the publishing industry.

Many avoid action from the authorities by pointing out that parents aren’t obliged to follow the booklist.

Chong says no official complaint was lodged with the ministry.

In fact, when questioned, school heads are quick to reiterate that workbooks are indeed optional, but Jeff*, a publishing firm executive, says that many of them have a hidden agenda.

There are some headmasters who lobby to be posted in big schools because the “market is bigger”, he adds.

Some even refuse to call for open tenders to run the school bookshop as it’s another avenue for kickbacks, claims Jeff.

“I know a publisher who operates hundreds of school bookshops nationwide. How he got the tender is not transparent.”

*Azwan, who own a small publishing firm in Kuala Lumpur, has been selling school textbooks and workbooks directly to teachers at a discounted price.

But he insists that teachers aren’t offered any sort of incentive to push the books to students.

“We publish Arab language workbooks. It’s a very small market so we don’t hire salesmen or agents to sell our titles.

“We have our own database of Arab language teachers so we approach them directly.”

Noor Azimah says if there isn’t a law yet, there is a need for one to be drafted soon.

By offering discounts to teachers, he hopes that the savings will be passed on to the pupils “but I don’t have any control over that”.

He admits that he wouldn’t know if the teachers actually profited from the discounts given.

“I won’t know whether they sell the books based on the recommended retail price or at the discounted rate.”

The practice of giving commission to teachers and headmasters is a recurring problem because no action has been taken against those involved, says Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.

“It’s about enforcement. The Education Ministry must address this issue. If there isn’t a law yet, there is a need for one to be drafted soon. School authorities and businesses must be made aware of the repercussions, if they offer or accept bribes.”

Siva Subramaniam says there are many good school heads who deserve respect.

Teachers can recommend books they genuinely feel are beneficial to students. But recommending books solely for commission is wrong, she insists.

A teacher from Penang wants the allegations investigated as those involved are doing this for their own benefit.

“Fellow teachers from other schools have highlighted the issue,” she shares.

No formal investigation has been conducted as the Education Ministry hasn’t received any official complaints, says Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

Coming to the defence of his peers, National Union of Head of Schools Malaysia president Wong Shee Fatt says they neither accept nor ask for commissions. School heads, he stresses, are expected to follow the ministry’s strict guidelines at all times.

Not everyone wants the ‘heavy bag phenomenon’ to end, says Chong. Some quarters have argued that workbooks are an important component and a crucial tool for teachers to know whether students understand the lesson.

 

Urging its 200-odd members to publish “only the best books”, Malaysian Book Publishers Association (Mapoba) president Ishak Hamzah says they should compete based on the quality and pricing.

“Schools and parents want students to excel in exams. To do that, they need textbooks, reference books and workbooks,” he says, noting that the demand for such materials is higher in Chinese schools than national schools.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner and ex-NUTP secretary-general Datuk Lok Yim Pheng said headmasters must have integrity. Whatever contribution they receive, must be used for the benefit of the school, she says.

Former National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general and former Suhakam (Complaints and Investigation Section) head Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam, agrees.

“Anti-corruption agencies and education departments have taken action against school heads in the past. The sale of books must be handled professionally to avoid such problems in future,” he adds.

But bad practices don’t end easily, and at the end of the day, it’s the parents and pupils who suffer.

“It’s time the ministry and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigate and take action against the culprits. A special committee must be set up to study the issue.

“Look at the impact of excessive workbooks on pupils’ health, and the financial burden on parents. Come up with strong recommendations to deal with this,” he says.

He, however, points out that not all schools are guilty of accepting kickbacks to push the sale of workbooks.

“There are good headmasters who deserve respect. Many observe good practices such as ploughing extra funds they receive into welfare activities for the pupils.”

On July 22, The Star front page highlighted the issue of pupils lugging heavy schoolbags which has been a long-standing complaint. Repeated reminders by the Education Ministry not to weigh pupils down with too many workbooks appear to be ignored, with the children still suffering while school authorities and parents point the finger at each other.

The problem, a topic of heated online discussions lately, is not just because of schools and teachers.

Overzealous parents who demand that their children be given more homework, are also at fault.

A parent, who only wants to be known as Ahmad, hopes the ministry will look into this.

Perhaps the workbook issue can be sorted out between school subject teachers. They need to have a thorough look at the use of textbooks and workbooks, their cumulative weight, what parents can do, and the need for lockers, he suggests.

*Names have been changed.