Calling it a very cruel, absurd and inconsiderate decision, Sarawak DAP’s Abdul Aziz Isa says it shows how the government does not value its educators.
“The decision clearly shows that the government has no sense of respect for trainee teachers in this country.
“How are we able to improve our education system if the government keeps on oppressing our educators?” Aziz said.
He added that it was very frustrating that such a decision was made affecting these trainee teachers who are mostly from poor families.
Yesterday, Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon was reported to have said that existing trainees would continue to receive the RM430 monthly living expense allowance and travel allowance not exceeding RM500 per year until they graduate.
“The affected trainee teachers will now have to apply to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) for a loan to help with their living expenses,” Chong was quoted to have said by Star.
Aziz, who is special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, called on the ministry to instead cut the salaries and benefits to the cabinet if the government had to resort to such cost-cutting measures.
“If the ministry is facing a budget constraint, then instead of cutting trainee teacher’s allowances, Chong should suggest to the Cabinet to cut the ministers’ and deputy ministers’ allowances.
“He should also advice our Cabinet not to waste the taxpayers’ money but instead use their own pocket money for any vacation or official trips by following the example of Indonesian President Jokowi,” Aziz said.
He especially took umbrage at the suggestion by Chong for trainee teachers to take a loan from PTPTN.
“By suggesting this, he is encouraging our people, especially the trainee teachers to live in debt. We have enough of government burdening the people by taxing them through the GST, passenger service charge (PSC) and tourism tax aside from the removal of subsidies on cooking oil, flour, fuel and sugar.”
Aziz further mocked Chong over his elevation into the Cabinet through the backdoor, being an MCA representative in the Senate.
“Is this the Barisan Nasional yardstick and benchmark to qualify a person to hold positions in the executive branch of the government by oppressing the rakyat?
He urged teachers across the country to “unite and protest” to show their disgust at this decision by the ministry.
“Improving the teaching profession and further improving the teachers’ livelihood is no longer a priority to government.
“It is time for our teachers in this country to know their own rights and exercise it at the ballot box in the next general election,” Aziz said.