BY LIZAWATI MADFA
SHAH ALAM, JUL 31: The Federal Government is urged to retract the proposal to cut personal and travelling allowances for trainee teachers undergoing the Bachelor of Education Programme (PISMP) in Teachers’ Training Institutions (IPG).
Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the Umno-BN administration seems to be victimising the education sector with cuts in several budgets be it at the university level, school, students even teachers’ level.
He said, this is far from Pakatan’s plan to increase Malaysian teachers’ salaries to be at par with a respected level of education.
“Several months ago, the Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the education system needs a reshuffle and that was agreed by other ministers including Khairy Jamaluddin.
“Is that the reform that they mean? By making it increasingly difficult for teachers?
“Teachers’ contribution in educating the future generation is so huge and their reward should commensurate the sacrifice.
Nik Nazmi who is also KEADILAN Youth Chief said, any reform in education will fail if teachers’ roles are continuously ignored.
“I urge the Federal Government to retract the proposal and maintain the allowances as promised.
“Don’t burden them with debts due to corruption and excessive spending under Dato’ Seri Najib Razak’s failed administration,” he said.
Last July 15, the Federal Government planned to abolish the RM430 personal allowance and the RM500 travel allowance for trainee teachers undergoing the PISMP in IPG.
The Education Ministry said in statement that IPG has also discussed the matter with the National Higher Education Funding Corporation (PTPTN) to provide their students with PTPTN funds.
He said that will enable IPG students going into PISMP level by June next year to receive personal allowance.
Retract proposal to cut trainee teachers’ allowances
