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KUALA LUMPUR – The National Education Advisory Council, the membership of which will be announced next month, will take up the issue of overworked teachers, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said.
The council will examine complaints regarding teachers’ workload, including clerical duties, besides making recommendations to the ministry about improving the country’s direction in public education, she was quoted as saying.
“The issue of teachers being burdened with duties other than their actual duties, issues of their welfare are a priority for the Education Ministry to address,” she said on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme.
Fadhlina had previously announced that the council had been reactivated as provided for under the Education Act 1996.
The new members to be named will be from the field of education and include activists, teachers, former teachers, and academicians.
Fadhlina also said the Adult Class for Orang Asli and Penan Parents initiative will continue as a way to address school dropouts among the community.
Orang Asli parents need support with their children’s learning at home after school hours, she said.
The initiative, introduced by the ministry in 2008, helps Orang Asli students with reading, writing, and counting.
The minister said the participation of indigenous parents in the programme has been “amazing” with classes recording full attendance.
“This situation will help reduce the gap in capability between the Orang Asli students and ordinary students.” – The Vibes, December 31, 2022