UMNO AGM | A Penang Umno delegate recalled his school days, when students dreaded telling their parents they had been caned, lest they face the rod twice.
“Because parents consistently sided with the school institution and the teachers who caned us,” he said.
Times have changed, noted Batu Kawan Umno division chief Noor Ahmad, with some parents now slapping teachers with legal letters if their children are disciplined.
Speaking during a debate on the president’s policy speech at the Umno general assembly, he proposed restoring the authority of “disciplinary caning” to all teachers.
“If necessary, the drafting of specific legislation or the strengthening of relevant legal provisions to restore teachers’ confidence in carrying out their core duties should be discussed and implemented,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
Based on feedback from teachers, Noor said there is overwhelming concern about courting legal letters for disciplining students.
“It is true that this letter of demand is not a punishment, but it feels like a form of intimidation against teachers. Some even demand monetary compensation involving excessive amounts of money.
“Teachers are even pressured to apologise to students if they do not want to be dragged to court,” he added.
However, he stated that public servants are largely shielded from these risks while performing their official duties, under the protection of the Public Authorities Protection Act 1948.
“Under the Government Proceedings Act 1956, if a public servant is sued for negligence while performing their duties, the government as the employer is responsible for paying damages, not the public servant personally, unless it is proven that there was malicious intent or gross misconduct,” he said. - Mkini
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