SGMM head undeterred over transfer order; to continue protest against PBS system

PETALING JAYA: Just a day before the planned protest on the school-based assessment (PBS) by teachers, Suara Guru Masyarakat Malaysia (SGMM) working committee head Mohd Nor Izzat Mohd Johari was shocked to receive an order from the state education department to transfer to a school, 80km from his home.

"It is totally unexpected. The drastic action shows the hard-handed attitude by the ministry towards teachers who are outspoken about an education policy which does not work," said Mohd Nor Izzat when contacted on Friday. 

The transfer, which will take immediate effect, was conveyed to him on Friday in a letter dated Feb 17. 

The secondary school Arts teacher said he would discuss with his lawyer on whether he should appeal against the transfer. 

He is currently teaching in a secondary school, 25km from his home. 

Undeterred by the order to transfer, Mohd Nor Izzat said SGMM would be going ahead with the protest on Saturday in front of the Bandar Baru Bangi mosque. 

The group had earlier intended to protest at the Education Ministry in Putrajaya. 

"We decided to change the venue because the ministry has instructed the teachers not to protest in Putrajaya," said Mohd Nor Izzat. 

He added that his meeting with Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh last December about the PBS system bore little fruit.