KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers at public schools must consist of the best graduates in the country instead of those who treat the job as a second option, says a government backbencher.
Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam) said teachers play an important role in transforming the national education system, but noted that recent news revealed that most bankruptcy cases in Selangor had involved teachers.
“Efforts to spur education in the nation must begin from teachers themselves.
“But unfortunately this morning, the news in Melaka noted that most of those who are bankrupt are teachers,” said Hasni when debating the Royal Address in Parliament on Tuesday (Jan 20).
Hasni said teachers must consist of top students in the country.
“If possible, teachers should consist of the top 10% - 20% of graduates in the country, and not those who treat the teaching profession as a second option.
“We must choose the cream of the graduates.” he said
Hasni also proposed for the salaries of public school teachers to be matched with the private sector.
“It has to be reasonable, only then are we able to get the best brains in our national education system,” he said.
Data from the Malaysian Insolvency Department (MDI) reveals that Selangor records the highest incidences of bankruptcy in the country, most of them consisting of civil servants, particularly teachers.
Insolvency director-general Datuk Ishak Bakir said the pattern stems from substantial personal loan liabilities.
