PETALING JAYA: Teachers are not against a protection policy for students but do not want to sign a document that could unnecessarily implicate them in legal issues later, says the National Union of Teaching Profession of Malaysia.
Its secretary-general, Fouzi Singon, said that introducing a formal undertaking requiring signatures may create unnecessary anxiety and controversy among teachers and parents.
“Why is there a need for teachers and parents to sign a formal undertaking when the existing rules, regulations and responsibilities are already clearly established and have been implemented by both teachers and parents?
“Both parties understand their respective roles and responsibilities, and share the same objective: to ensure that children feel safe, comfortable and well cared for while they are in school.”
Fouzi was responding to the School Student Protection Policy, which was announced through a circular dated July 1 from the Education Ministry director-general’s office.
According to the document, school staff and external parties who have dealings with the school and its staff members are required to sign a letter of undertaking to comply with the policy for schools under the ministry.
“This policy stipulates that school administrators and stakeholders must ensure that all decisions and actions are based on the interests of students.
“This policy also guarantees students’ rights to speak out safely and ethically, protects students from any form of threat, protects students’ privacy and dignity, and supports student involvement in aspects of student well-being and welfare,” it said.
Fouzi said if the policy’s objective is to reaffirm a shared commitment towards students’ safety and well-being, a joint commitment pledge is more appropriate.
“It would convey the same spirit of cooperation without creating concerns about legal obligations arising from a signed document,” he said, adding that the union hopes the ministry would reconsider the proposal for the letter of undertaking.
Meanwhile, a teacher from Subang Jaya, who only wanted to be known as Sri, said the new policy feels like an extension of the existing letter of undertaking that civil servants sign but with a focus on students safety.
“There is no need for a repetitive letter of undertaking to reassure interested parties or clients with regard to students’ protection policy, as it is the school’s duty to provide a safe and sound learning environment for students.
“A set of guidelines would suffice,” he added.
A secondary school teacher in Subang Jaya, who identified herself only as Anna, said that signing the policy made it seem as though the ministry did not trust teachers to do their jobs.
“Teachers and other school staff are already striving and working hard to ensure every student is well protected and their safety is given utmost priority. Why do we need this?”
Acknowledging the uproar, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek called on teachers to “stay calm”.
She said she had asked the ministry’s director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad and its legal adviser to hold a special session with stakeholders to answer and understand the concerns raised by teachers.
“The ministry’s priority is to protect all students, teachers and all school staff.
“If an incident occurs at school, this policy provides detailed guidance regarding the responsibilities of all parties and how to handle it,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.
