Secondary school teacher faints while teaching additional classes (updated)

PETALING JAYA: A secondary school teacher has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a Sibu hospital after fainting while giving additional lessons in school on Monday (May 27).

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) uploaded a message from Sarawak Teachers' Union secretary-general Chung Fui San on its Facebook page saying that the Sibu district education offices have instructed all schools to stop conducting additional classes and to comply with Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik's instruction.

In a Facebook post, her colleague, Ding Liung Yii said their school did not arrange any additional classes during this holiday period and the classes were the teacher's own initiative.

"She is a good teacher and a responsible one. She gave additional classes on her own initiative. Let's all pray for her and her family," he said.

Sarawak Teachers' Union (STU) Sibu chapter president Yong Sie Hing, when contacted, said that the teacher was not forced to teach additional classes.

"She was teaching Mandarin on her own initiative at the time of the incident. A friend of mine who met her at a coffeeshop few days ago told me that she looked healthy then," he said.

Yong said the intention of the victim was good but nobody wanted the incident to happen either.

"There are teachers who are too hardworking as they personally sacrifice their time to give extra lessons to their students so that they can do well in their exams. We cannot blame the teachers," he said.

In a Facebook video last Thursday, Dr Maszlee said schools should not conduct any activities during the ongoing mid-year break.

He said the break was meant for students and teachers to rest and spend time with loved ones.

"It is better to not have any activities including additional classes during this period. Use the long holiday to prepare for a meaningful celebration. Go back to your hometowns to be with your relatives and friends," he said in the video.