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You know what is the concern of Teachers' Union? New Straits Times - Many teachers will not benefit from five-day week proposal!

Shouldn't they be making arrangement to ensure that they would not go to schools on saturdays then? How did these guys get to be teachers in the first place.

No wonder we have students complaining of bad teachers most times these days!

These teachers' union officails should take a pointer from that P. Kalianan!

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'Many teachers will not benefit from five-day week proposal'

By M.K. Megan

Surprisingly, not all civil servants are happy with the proposed five-day work week. Many teachers are grumbling. They claim they do not benefit from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s proposal.

National Union of the Teaching Profession president Ismail Nihat said many teachers had to return to school on Saturdays for extra classes and co-curricular activities eventhough they currently five days a week.

“Even on the first and third Saturdays, which are rest days for civil servants, many teachers still have to go to school to do extra work.

“Soon, all Saturdays will be rest days for civil servants but teachers will still have to work on these days, and without any extra payment.”

Ismail said the situation was worse in schools with two sessions.

“The school’s facilities are fully used throughout the days and the teachers have no choice but to go back to schools on Saturdays to conduct their extra classes or co-curricular activities. “

Ismail said he planned to meet Education Ministry officials soon to iron out this grievance.

“Teachers will be more motivated if some form of payment, such as overtime or extra allowance, be paid to those who conduct extra classes and co-curricular activities on Saturdays,” he said.

“Teachers have been sacrificing their Saturdays for the sake of their students and the Government should recognise that.

“The Prime Minister said the two off-days will allow civil servants to spend quality time with their families but teachers are sacrificing this to ensure that students excel in school. That deserves some kind of recognition.”

Ismail also urged the Government to consider including teachers in the Cost of Living Allowance (Cola) scheme as well.

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