Students: Court ruling against 'ponteng' teacher a lesson to all

Three former students of a secondary school in Kota Belud, who won a suit against their absentee teacher, hoped that the case would serve as a lesson to all quarters, to fulfil their respective responsibility.

One of the plaintiffs, Calvina Angayung, 22, expressed hope that the victory would motivate others who kept silent to stand up for their rights.

“We were the victims of the injustice of this teacher, which resulted in our failure in an English Language examination. This victory is a gift to all who had been supporting us since the beginning.

“I would like to say thank you to our witnesses who bravely appeared to testify in court, NGOs and activists, parents, friends, and the community out there who have been supporting us no matter where we are,” she said when contacted.

Another plaintiff, Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali, said that she was relieved that their efforts were not futile, even though it took them six long years, and thanked all quarters for their victory.

In 2020, Calvina, Nur Natasha Allisya, and Rusiah Sabdarin, all aged 22, sued their former English teacher, Mohd Jainal Jamran, who failed to turn up and teach them at secondary school for seven months in 2017, when the girls were 16; the school’s then principal, Suid Hanapi; the Education director-general; the Education Ministry, and the government.

On Tuesday (July 19),  Kota Kinabalu High Court judge Leonard David Shim, in allowing their suit against the five defendants, ruled that the defendants breached their statutory duties and violated the former students’ constitutional guarantee to education.

The court awarded RM150,000 in total damages to the three plaintiffs.

Lawyer Sherzali Herza Asli, who represented the women, said that it was important for the government to realise and recognise the deficiencies, and formulate policies to ensure the accountability of errant teachers for the wellbeing and prospects of the country's future generations.

Meanwhile, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperation Minister Ewon Benedick, who is also Penampang MP and Kadamaian assemblyperson, said that those in a school ecosystem all had their own responsibility.

He said teachers are responsible for showing up in class and teaching, and their failure to do so must be justified with valid reasons.

“Students should possess the discipline to respect teachers, yet have the opportunity to speak up to their parents, who will raise matters to the parents and teachers association on services rendered at the school,” he said.

- Bernama