Temporary teachers deserve security of tenure, says Dong Zong

Amendments made to the contracts of temporary teachers of Chinese schools by the Ministry of Education will deprive them of basic entitlements such as the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), bonus and annual leave. This move has received strong protest from the United Chinese Schools Committee Association of Malaysia ( Dong Zong ).

This step will affect the livelihood of over 7,000 temporary teacher in Chinese primary schools nationwide. Dong Zong urges the Ministry of Education to abolish these amendments as there is a severe shortage of teachers in Chinese primary schools .

The chairman of Johor Bahru Chinese Development Committee, Wang Jian Fong, said that temporary teacher have been instrumental in all Chinese primary schools for 40 years.

He said, “They should be acknowledged for their contribution to the teaching and development of these schools. A move like this will surely to bring about resignations and a shortage of teachers will ensue.”

The National Teaching Profession Association secretary-general, Luo Wen Ping, says that to withhold EPF contribution is a serious matter. To cease EPF contributions of temporary teachers will jeopardise their financial security .

This issue came to the fore after several temporary teachers attended a briefing session at Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Sembilan.