SIBU: The merging of under-enrolled schools has to done in stages in order for the strength and weakness of centralised schools to be assessed, should the government decide to implement the proposal after studying the matter, suggested Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS).
“Before implementing on a wide scale, it is better if the move could be done in stages besides viewing the strengths and weaknesses of these centralised schools,” KGBS president Ahmad Malie told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He was asked to comment on Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid’s statement that the decision on the need to merge under-enrolled schools in the country would only be made after the study on the matter is completed.
Mahdzir was reported as telling the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday that several factors considered in the study that began in 2016 included the distance between the schools affected and the facilities that must be improved if the merger of the schools were to be implemented.
Ahmad said KGBS fully supported the Ministry of Education’s effort to merge schools with low student enrolment to enhance the quality of education in these schools.
“Apart from the study related to locations and logistics for the schools involved, KGBS also urges the Ministry of Education to stress the welfare factors of teachers in affected schools especially headmasters and senior assistants so their positions will be taken into consideration,” he said.
He emphasised that this was important to prevent any unpleasantness such as the position downgrading of headmasters and senior assistants in affected schools if the school mergers become a reality.