By MUHAMMAD SAUFEE ROSMAN and NUR NADZMI NASIRAH MOHAMAD NASIR
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Periodic workload audits and the implementation of the ‘One In, One Out’ principle have been proposed to manage the increase in non-teaching and learning (PdP) tasks among teachers, ensuring that new responsibilities do not continue to add to their existing workload.
Malaysian Teachers' Alliance Association (iGuru) president Mohd Azizee Hasan said under the principle, every new task introduced must replace an existing one, while periodic audits would enable each responsibility to be assessed based on its actual necessity.
He said the proposal comes amid a growing number of workload-related complaints received by iGuru in recent years, including overlapping documentation and reporting duties, as well as the need to enter the same or similar data into multiple systems.
Teachers have also complained of frequent meetings and briefings that disrupt lesson preparation, as well as the implementation of various programmes and co-curricular activities without due regard for time constraints.
"Teachers do not actually mind carrying out additional responsibilities. However, they hope every assigned task provides clear added value to students' learning," he told Bernama.
Mohd Azizee said iGuru has also received complaints from teachers experiencing physical and emotional exhaustion, as increasing administrative duties leave them with less time to focus on teaching.
"In certain circumstances, prolonged stress can lead to burnout, subsequently affecting job performance, social relationships and personal well-being. Therefore, safeguarding teachers' well-being must become a primary agenda in the national education system," he said.
Meanwhile, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang said the union has also received complaints ranging from unsubstantiated reports lodged against teachers through the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) to student disciplinary issues that are difficult to manage.
"Some are individual issues, such as promotions, transfers and disputes with superiors. Others are broader concerns, such as endless data entry and the burden of managing parents' WhatsApp groups," he said.
However, Aminuddin said workload alone does not necessarily lead to burnout or affect teachers' mental well-being if school administrators effectively manage issues at the school level.
Aminuddin also urged the Ministry of Education (MOE) to improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for investigations into complaints lodged through SISPAA, including requiring complainants to be interviewed before investigations proceed.
He said the measure would help ensure complaints are substantiated and that complainants' identities are verified before further action is taken, noting that anyone, including students or parents, can currently lodge a complaint against a teacher without their identity being fully verified.
"When a complaint is received, whether substantiated or not, the teacher concerned still has to undergo an investigation by District Education Office (PPD) officers. This situation is among the factors contributing to stress among teachers and school administrators," he said.
The issue of teachers' workload is not new and although the MOE has introduced several measures to address it, it continues to be a concern among educators.
In July last year, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced seven measures to reduce teachers' workload, including abolishing non-high-impact events and reducing the frequency of reviews under the Malaysian Education Quality Standard (SKPM) for school management.
She also directed that quarterly reports be submitted to the ministry every three months and called on education leaders at all levels to work together to address teachers' workload.
The issue has resurfaced in recent weeks, particularly on social media, following the death of a female teacher at a school in Hulu Selangor. However, there has been no confirmation that the incident was related to workload or work-related stress.
-- BERNAMA