Important projects: Fadhlina visiting an exhibition the handing-over ceremony at SMK Bagan Terap in Sabak Bernam. — KK SHAM/ The Star
SABAK BERNAM: Many teachers who planned to retire early have changed their minds following the increase in salary for civil servants, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said the ministry received many requests from teachers who had wanted to retire early but did not want to do so after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the pay hike.
“I think the pay increase has had a positive impact,” she said after attending the project handing-over ceremony for SMK Bagan Terap and SK Sungai Hj Dorani here yesterday.
“The pay hike will also raise the spirits and motivation of teachers to carry out their roles.”
Teachers make up a large number of the civil service with over 400,000 of them currently on the payroll.
It was reported on Sunday that teachers said salary was not the only factor pushing them to consider leaving the service.
They said they were overburdened with clerical work, feeling lethargic, and faced stress when filling out digital forms.
On another matter, Fadhlina said there were about 1,075 dilapidated school building projects nationwide.
“In Selangor alone, there are 34 projects,” she said, adding that the ministry is closely monitoring the status of these projects.
She said the commitment of the ministry and other stakeholders to complete these projects is very important as it involves creating a conducive learning environment for students and reducing disruption to their studies.
During the ceremony, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the project at SMK Bagan Terap involved tearing down and replacing six special education classes, the teachers’ room, toilets and the recreation room, among others, at the cost of RM3.77mil.
“The purpose of the new building is to provide a comfortable and conducive learning environment for special needs children where previously, they were studying in modified containers,” he said.
As for the project at SK Sungai Hj Dorani, Nanta added, it was to replace very old buildings with new classrooms that can be converted into a hall, and toilets for mainstream and special needs students.
His speech was read by Works Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy and development) Datuk Zahrul Hakim Abdullah.
Last Friday, Anwar announced the hike in salaries for the civil service by between 7% and 15%, the first increase in 12 years.
He announced a 15% pay raise for officers in the implementing, management and professional groups and a 7% hike for officers in top management and professional roles.
The increment will be implemented in two phases, the first in December and the second in January 2026.
For civil servants in the implementing, management and professional groups, salary adjustments will start at 8% in the first phase and another 7% raise in the second phase.
For officers in top management and professional roles, they will receive a 4% raise in the first phase and another 3% raise in the second phase.
