Teluk bahang: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to establish a special committee to comprehensively resolve the long-standing issue of excessive teacher workloads. Its president, Aminuddin Awang, highlighted that approximately 418,000 teachers nationwide are still facing heavy workloads, often burdened with tasks unrelated to their core responsibilities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aminuddin expressed hope that the MoE will take immediate and comprehensive action to address this persistent issue, which continues to affect teachers, particularly at the grassroots level. He made these remarks during a press conference held in conjunction with NUTP’s Mid-Term Review for the 2023-2026 session.

The three-day meeting, which began last Saturday, also brought attention to nine other key issues that will be submitted to the government, including the MoE and the Public Service Department (JPA), for further consideration. Among the major contributors to the workload, Aminuddin pointed out, is the user-unfriendly online data entry system, which complicates administrative tasks.

Furthermore, teaching assistants assigned to schools with over 1,500 students have not significantly alleviated the burden, as many teachers continue to manage administrative duties in the school office. The union also emphasized the need for clear guidelines to prevent non-urgent disruptions outside official working hours, as teachers are frequently contacted via WhatsApp or Telegram by school administrators or district education offices with tasks that could be handled during regular work hours.

Aminuddin urged the government to increase funding for substitute teachers in Budget 2026, addressing the critical shortage when permanent teachers are on maternity leave, pilgrimage, or other approved absences. Additionally, NUTP raised concerns over the ongoing shortage of teachers due to retirements and the addition of new classes, calling on the MoE to review staffing policies. This review should particularly focus on the career progression of primary school headmasters and senior assistants, who are currently limited to grades DG13 and DG14.