School failed to submit ‘Cikgu Ponteng’s’ records, says official

 

A Sabah Education Department official has revealed that school authorities at SMK Taun Gusi in Kota Belud, Sabah, failed to submit attendance records of a teacher who allegedly skipped class for seven months in 2015.

The records were requested to facilitate investigations launched in 2018 following a lawsuit filed against English teacher Mohd Jainal Jamran by his former student Siti Nafirah.

Abidin Marja, who was the department’s academic management section chief at the time, testified at the High Court in Kota Kinabalu today that he did not manage to see Jainal’s attendance records.

When asked why by senior federal counsel Mohd Hafizi Abdul Halim during cross-examination, Abidin replied, “That’s why I asked for the teacher’s record book that is placed on the (teacher’s) desk (in the classroom) to prove the teacher’s attendance in class.

“But up to the end of my investigation, I did not see the book.”

He also rejected Hafizi’s suggestion that he intended to cover up any wrongdoing.

Moreover, Abidin retorted that he even criticised and scolded school authorities for failing to ensure teaching and learning are conducted in a good, orderly manner that fulfils the Education Ministry’s curriculum standards.

The plaintiff Siti is represented by her lawyer Shireen Sikayun, while Hafizi represents the defendant with assistance from federal counsel Fazriel Fardianshah Abdul Kadir.

The case before High Court judge Ismail Brahim resumes on Aug 28. - Mkini