‘New deal’ incentive for 586 headmasters nationwide

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JASIN: The government yesterday made good its promise to those in the teaching profession through a RM18.4 million performance-based incentive under a new deal aimed at rewarding those who showed excellence.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the new deal, announced last year, would benefit 586 headmasters nationwide.

“Support staff such as the clerks in the 586 schools will also be rewarded accordingly because they too have contributed to these schools. We have not determined the rate,” he told reporters after handing over the incentive at Sekolah Menengah Tun Syed Zahiruddin Ayer Tawar, in Merlimau, near here.

Under the deal, school headmasters will receive RM7,500 while five per cent of their teaching staff will receive RM1,800.

The rest of the teachers will receive RM900.

Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said the incentive would be paid immediately because the allocation for the purpose had been provided for.

He said similar deal would be offered to secondary school principals and teachers upon the announcement of the results of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination next month.

Muhyiddin said a total of 924 schools were initially shortlisted from 7,635 schools for verification by the Inspectorate of Schools.

“After the verification process, 586 of them or 7.70 per cent (of 7,635 schools) were found to have fulfilled all the criteria for the incentive,” he said.

The initial target was about two per cent but the strong performance had pushed the number above the target, he said.

“We are also happy to note that 437 or 74.32 per cent of the 586 schools are from the rural area,” he added.

Muhyiddin said under the new deal, schools would be evaluated based on the school average grade and the Education Ministry’s standard quality score.

The criteria include the students’ academic performance and the leadership qualities of headmasters, principles and teachers in planning, coordinating, monitoring and appraising the teaching and learning activities.

He said that schools which were in the mid-rank group, or those that had not achieved the 84 per cent in the composite score for primary school, would be assisted in enhancing their performance.

“The ministry will ensure headmasters who have not been able to achieve the target, will be given opportunities to take courses based on their respective needs and be given guidance from time to time,” he said.

Muhyiddin later declared open the school, which was built at the cost of RM28 million and began taking students in January this year.

The school has 30 classes, 330 students and 25 teachers.

Present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong. — Bernama