For picky teachers, a costly lesson to nab school of choice: PETALING JAYA, Sept 9 — School teachers are willing to pay exorbitant sums to ensure they get transferred to their state of choice. A month-long probe by The Malay Mail revealed “middlemen” collected between RM3,000 and RM8,000 if a transfer was successful. However, some teachers have fallen victim in what seems to be a scheme cooked up by individuals supposedly connected to officials within the Education Ministry. The amount paid will depend on the choice of the state. A transfer to Johor may cost RM3,000 while transfers to “hot states” like Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang could balloon to RM8,000. A Kuala Lumpur-based teacher, who has been applying to teach in Pahang numerous times, revealed she sought the help of a middleman to ensure her transfer got through. “I don’t know him personally, only through a friend. We have not met but he has promised to look into my transfer and I am required to pay him RM4,000 if I get a place in Pahang,” said the teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “A friend of mine was offered a transfer to Pahang for RM1,000. She is single and we teach the same subjects and she got her transfer. I’m quite frustrated about it.” The teacher added she was even willing to fork out RM10,000, if needed, to get a place in Pahang. “They say it is transparent but we are not told to why our application is rejected. I’ve been teaching for more than five years and have been married for more than three years. I have met the transfer regulations. “I asked the state education department officer and his exact words were “kita lelong nama cikgu” (we sell the teachers’ name) when he meets up with his counterparts from other state departments.” The teacher claimed she is aware some schools in Pahang are in need of teachers who teach the subject she does. Based on the ministry’s e-GTukar website (as per July) transfer statistics, there were 480 applications into primary schools in Pahang compared to 791 applications out of the state while 458 applications to secondary schools in Pahang with 643 wanting out of the state. “I admit I am desperate. I have applied many times but to no avail. How am I to start a family?” she questioned. Another teacher admitted she had paid RM1,000 but was still waiting to be transferred out of KL. “My brother-in-law paid RM1,000 and he got a place in Johor. The hot states are Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah. “I’ve paid the contact in instalments of RM200 amounting to RM1,000. I applied for a transfer to Terengganu recently but it was turned down. I’ve been trying to contact the man (middleman) but he has been avoiding my calls.” When pressed for more information, the teacher declined, saying she “does not want to get into trouble”. “Teachers know about it but obviously the ministry will deny it. We are desperate and we end up being duped,” she added. Both teachers admitted they had not lodged a report to the ministry or the National Union of Teaching Profession for fear of repercussions. Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap revealed last month the ministry received 2,156 complaints including on teacher placement and transfers. The ministry is reviewing its policy on the transfer of teachers. dlvr.it/3wzcLG
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 23:29:01 +0000
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