Teachers disturbed by survey on political views

“I will be very angry with my friends if there is any protest against policies executed by the government.”

Answer options: ‘Absolutely Disagree’, ‘Disagree’, ‘Agree’ or ‘Absolutely Agree’.

This is among 10 politically-skewed questions teachers have been asked to answer by the education authorities in Selangor in what is believed to be a move to gauge their political views.

Another statement requesting for one of the four optional answers: "I will be very worried if there's a major change in the current national leadership."

Although, not required to write their names on the survey form, many teachers are troubled by the perceived political pressure from the education authorities.

Titled ‘Study on the Effectiveness of the Government’s Transformation Programme’, the survey form (bottom photo) bears no letterhead.

A school principal who requested anonymity claimed the survey was sent by email and the school had to print copies of it for the teachers to fill out.

It’s not known if this is a nationwide survey, but many teachers in Selangor have been asked to answer the survey over the past few days.

A check with schools in Penang suggested that teachers there have not been asked to take part in the survey.

One headmaster however said Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is Selangor Umno chief, may not be aware of the survey.

“This could be a plan by Selangor Umno to gauge the sentiments in its efforts to regain Selangor.”

Do you support change in Putrajaya?

The survey form, currently being circulated to secondary school teachers, violates the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression, according to a lawyer whose wife is a teacher.

According to the Election Act, voting is private and confidential, but Question 6 borders on determining how the interviewee will vote in the upcoming general election: “I support a total change in the current national leadership”.

Meanwhile, Question 7 touches on the same issue: "I will be very concerned if there's a major change in current national leadership".

Question 8 requests the teachers to respond to this statement: "I support the issue and comments which are non-constructive from certain groups towards the government leadership."

A retired English teacher who requested not to be identified said that the survey infringes on the basic human rights of the teaching professionals.

"It appears that they are trying to validate or verify if the police, military and National Security Council's reading or forecast of the coming elections is accurate,” said the retiree.

“This could also be a way to find out if there is negative feedback on the ground to the government policies being implemented.”

The teaching profession is one of the largest components of the civil service force.

To examine whether, the teachers are in favour of the government policies, Question 5 states: "I am burdened with frequent changes in policies like the PIPP (Pelan Induk Pembangunan Pendidikan), NKRA (National Key Result Areas) and GTP (Government Transformation Plan) among others".

“This survey is absolutely unfair, intimidating and the government should not have stooped so low to get feedback on the sly,” said another teacher.

He urged other government departments not to resort to such surveys.