TEACHERS’ reactions are mixed over the Education Ministry’s (MOE) proposal to set up a whistleblower system to accept complaints from the public against schools and teachers.

Teachers who agree with the system said it would help them make improvements, but said every report must be dealt with transparently. Those who are against the system meanwhile said it will only make teachers avoid correcting or guiding students.

MOE recently announced complaints can be made against staff of the ministry or state and district education offices, or against teachers or schools, adding that details of informants will be kept confidential.

It said anyone with a grievance or who has information of any wrongdoing can email, call the hotline, or meet an officer in charge.

Jasni Md Kechik of West Malaysia Malay Teachers Association welcomed the idea, saying it would reflect well on teachers and schools.

“The intention is good – for public servants to do their best for society. This can be a preventive and preemptive system.

“But we must remember not every report has its basis or is true. Each complaint must be treated (without) unjust or negative reprisal towards personnel.

“The system can do good for teachers, for them to improve and learn. But again, if there is wrongdoing, the case must not be shared with everyone. The government must keep the identity (of a teacher) a secret so as not to shame them or their family,” he said.

The proposal from the government, known as the Education Ministry Protection Policy, will protect staff or members of the public who lodge complaints of criminal wrongdoings, ethical breaches or disciplinary misconduct they encounter when dealing with its officers at any level.

It said any complaint of its staff being involved in criminal wrongdoing will be forwarded to enforcement agencies.

Agreeing with Jasni is a veteran teacher based in Klang, who said the system will allow thorough investigation instead of someone uttering mere accusations towards schools.

“When there is a system, perhaps parents or the public will lodge a report directly with the ministry, unlike in previous cases where parents took it to social media and the (issue was) judged by the masses. 

“With this system, when a report is lodged, an investigation will be carried out. We can find out what really occurred and not point fingers at anyone. But the important thing is the probe must be fair,” said the teacher, who declined to be named.

Two-way complaint system

There are teachers on the other side of the fence, however, who said the system will discourage teachers from correcting students.

A teacher said she would not know whether to reprimand or take action against a student.

“Should I take action or should I keep quiet? Sometimes students need to be reprimanded but when we act, a small matter could turn into something big when parents do not understand our intentions.

“It has happened before with or without this system. If parents can’t accept what we do, there is nothing that can stop them from looking for our mistakes. So some teachers prefer to not get involved and keep quiet.

“To not create a scene or cause more trouble, I think some teachers would stay away,” said the 29-year-old teacher.

Another teacher based in Johor said the whistleblower system shows there is distrust around teachers’ credibility.

“If there is a channel for parents, I think there should also be a channel for teachers to lodge complaints.

“The voices that have to be heard are first the teachers’ and students’, not the parents’,” said the teacher who wished to remain anonymous.

The MOE issued a warning against lodging ill-intentioned fake complaints to bring others down or to further their own interests at the expense of the subjects of their complaints.

Those with complaints or information can email [email protected] or call 03-8884 7780/7773. – April 21, 2023.