Administrators left reeling as over 130 teachers in Johor affected
JOHOR BARU: The move to transfer over 130 teachers from about 10 Chinese schools in Pasir Gudang in one swift motion has left parents upset and school operations in disarray.
SJKC Johor Jaya school board chairman Tan Kuan Teck said in the latest move by the Education Department, his school topped the list, with the highest number of teachers getting transferred at 34.
“The 34 of them were told to report to their respective new schools in a week’s time after receiving their transfer letter on Oct 1.
“While transfers among teachers, who are civil servants, are quite common, the large-scale transfer came as a shock.
“In previous years, we usually saw a transfer of three to four teachers at a time,” he said when interviewed.
Tan said the timing of the transfer had thrown the school off guard as plans had been made for the pupils’ lessons.
“It is also nearing the examination period. Many of the teachers facing the transfer were also involved in our pupils’ year-end holiday trips so it will take some time for the new batch of teachers to take over their duties.
“Our school held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the matter. We understand that it is the department’s prerogative to transfer teachers, so we accept it,” he said, adding that no special explanation was given by the department about the mass transfer.SJKC Pandan school board chairman Ku Chong Sin said 20 teachers from the school received their transfer letters.
“This is the first time the school has seen a transfer of 20 teachers at one go and this has left many parents and students upset.
“The teachers involved in the transfer have been teaching for 15 to 28 years. From what I understand, they are being transferred to other schools within the Pasir Gudang education district.
“We try to look at it positively – hopefully, the new batch of teachers who will replace the transferred teachers will bring fresh ideas to our school and the transferred teachers will also have something new to offer to their new schools,” he added.
Ku also said transfers among teachers were common but added that the timing of the move could be improved in the future.
“Transfers usually take place at the start of the year, not at this point where lesson plans and other academic activities have been scheduled. We hope the department will consider this in its next transfers,” he said.
It was understood that the other schools involved in mass transfers included SJKC Tiram, SJKC Foon Yew 5, SJKC Pei Hwa 2, SJKC Chee Tong and SJKC Nam Heng.
Earlier, a text message supposedly written by a disgruntled parent was widely shared on WhatsApp where he questioned the department’s “untimely” mass transfer of teachers.
“Transferring the teachers when the academic year is still ongoing will disrupt lessons and interfere with the pupils’ learning. As parents, we urge the department to evaluate its move as it will have a negative impact on the school’s operations as well,” the message said.
Another parent from one of the schools affected by the transfers said her children and their classmates shed tears when told that their teachers were leaving in a few days’ time.
“It is quite unsettling as we heard that there will be a second batch of mass transfers in the middle of this month for teachers who have been serving for more than 10 years.
“All the teachers from my daughter’s class will be replaced while three of my son’s teachers will be transferred,” she said, adding that she was worried that her young children would lose interest in classes because of the sudden change.
Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said he has written to the state Education Department director to request for a delay in the transfers.
“The schools are not against the transfers but are concerned about the timing, as it is usually done at the beginning or end of the year,” he said, adding that parents were also worried it might affect the pupils’ examination preparations.
When contacted, state education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said he would look into the matter.
On Thursday, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the ministry had requested the state Education Department to address this matter.
“We started receiving feedback on Wednesday from Johor assemblymen and parents regarding the issue of teacher transfers at Pasir Gudang.
“We will inform everyone of any progress,” he said in a statement.
