KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) has welcomed politicians to visit schools, however, they are reminded that no one is allowed to use the opportunity to gain political mileage.
STU president Adam Prakash Abdullah said by allowing politicians, ministers as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to visit schools, in one way or another would help to solve some financial issues that a school faced.
Although schools can always apply for funds from the Education Department or Education Ministry, he said, it was usually a slow process due to various procedures.
“Thus, I think everyone, including the Parents and Teachers Association should be happy about this (allow politicians to visit school) as it is also part of the politicians or elected representatives’ job to understand the situation of schools in their respective constituencies.
“As such, they can assist the development of the schools as well as the education of the students with their own allocations and funds. We hope they can help to solve some issues promptly or improve the school facilities and needs,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Adam, however, also made it clear that all the politicians should never visit a school due to political interests.
“If they want to visit and assist the schools as well as the students, why not? I don’t see any reason we should say no to their presence. But, we must also be very careful to ensure that politicians do not abuse the school vicinity for political mileage.
He stressed that the union does not want any parties or quarters to use (abuse) schools for any other reason, except for the education of the children.
Last week, Deputy Education Minister II Datuk Mohamad Alamin said politicians are now allowed to visit schools and even plan for projects and programmes that benefit the schools and student’s education.
He said they need to inform the headmasters or principals earlier so that such visits and plans would be included in the records of the respective district education offices (PPDs).
His ministry also welcomed politicians who wanted to plan any small project at school, but he also stressed that they must comply with certain set procedures. They can discuss with the principals or headmasters, and they would handle the matter with the PPDs.
Mohamad also explained that the ministry did not allow outsiders to enter school grounds in the last two years due to COVID-19 pandemic.
