School heads should allow teachers to remain working remotely

School heads (PGB) should use their discretion in determining the need for teachers staying far away to return to their respective work stations during the conditional movement control order (MCO) period.

Chairman of the alumni association of Malaysian residential schools, Ab Wahab Che Mat said the teaching and learning process can be done online from anywhere and there was no need to have the physical presence of the teachers concerned at their work stations.

“The PGB can call the teachers, the minimum number possible, to help with administration work that is of great importance at the school, but if the matter can wait, it can just be discussed online.

“The priority for teachers now is to continue teaching lessons from home until schools reopen, hence, will reduce the inconvenience of teachers already back in their hometown to return to their work stations,” he told Bernama.

He said this in response to an issue which has gone viral on social media of teachers being instructed by their PGB to return to their schools since all government offices are now opened.

This has caused inconvenience for teachers who are sheltering far from their work place during the MCO, especially if there is no urgent need for them to return since schools are still closed due to Covid-19. 

Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris vice-chancellor Mohammad Shatar Sabran opined that although the teachers are bound by the “Aku Janji” (service pledge), the matter should be looked into based on the current context.

He said a statement by the prime minister on May 1 that the government encouraged civil servants to work from home, except when physical presence is needed in the office, should be noted.

“I think all teachers understand the ‘Aku Janji’ pledge, but due to the situation of the pandemic, which is not a normal circumstance, it cannot be applied 100 percent, and has to comply with the current standard operating procedure (SOP).

“So I hope the PGB understands this. With proper planning, the school administration can continue and teachers can continue their work from home and online until a date is announced by the ministry," he added.

Former Education director-general Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin said that the issue is because there is no "source of authority", hence the conflicting views on the matter, including by the PGB.

“We do not want any instruction to be vague, with people not clear of what to do, and complaints here and there. So, the Education Ministry has to issue clear guidelines,” he added.

Meanwhile, a teacher posted on Facebook that until there is an official announcement on the reopening of schools, the PGB should allow teachers to work remotely. 

According to the teacher, following the PM's May 1 announcement, various instructions surfaced for employees to return to work.

“The problem is, the instructions were through Whatsapp or Telegram, there is no black and white, with some states saying this, and other states saying that.

“In my opinion, since there are only two more weeks left before the school holidays, (Aidilfitri holidays) teachers should be allowed to just remain wherever they are.

“It is almost certain that the school will not reopen before the school holidays,” posted the teacher.

- Bernama