Find out why junior teachers are made principals, Education Ministry told

 The National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng wants the Education Ministry to investigate cases of teachers being made principals despite lacking experience. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 31, 2015.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) is asking the Education Ministry to investigate cases of regular teachers being made principals despite the lack of administrative skills and experience.

Its secretary-general, Lok Yim Pheng, said the ministry should seriously look into it as candidates must be capable and have obtained enough experience in managing schools.

She said NUTP received one complaint this year, where a state education department recommended a regular teacher's name to the ministry as a candidate.

She said there were numerous complaints last year but declined to elaborate.

"We don't agree if there are such appointments happening,"

"There were several cases in the past, but many did not come forward (to complain)." she said.

Lok added these junior-level teachers should gain enough experience like becoming the senior assistant before being promoted to principal.

She said although there are no written rules on the appointments, such has been the practice agreed upon between NUTP and the ministry.

"It is not a policy but the decision was made during the meeting about three or four years ago,"

"We can use other ways to ensure these regular teachers are given the opportunity to become leaders in school, but they have to go through the process of leadership." she added.

- TMI