KAPIT: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said education involved three main groups of people, namely, teachers, parents and students.
He said these groups must work closely together otherwise the education system would not work.
“Parent must be involved with the teacher so that the education of our children is done properly, and the students must be willing to learn. Therefore, these three groups are the three pillars in our education system. Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), teachers, parents and students must all work as a team to ensure proper education,” said Masing when officiating at the SMK Baleh’s PTA’s annual general meeting held at the school here recently.
He said that his presence at the meeting was to ensure that the school’s PTA would be very much involved with the school and the education of the students.
He said SMK Baleh had done very well in the sense that it was the most remote rural secondary school in Sarawak and he appreciated the teachers there, including those from Peninsular Malaysia, for their hard work.
He suggested that Peninsular Malaysian teachers who were keen to teach at the school to stay put if they wanted to.
“These are the teachers who are willing to teach. Allow them to stay, don’t force them out. If they are promoted, let them be promoted within the system (SMK Baleh) itself. I have met such dedicated teachers at SMK Baleh previously, but after awhile, they were transferred elsewhere.
“If the Ministry of Education wants to transfer them from SMK Baleh, it is fine. But if they wanted to stay, please allow them to stay because they are the kind of teachers we want; they have the passion to teach,” said Masing.
SMK Baleh, the only secondary school in Baleh state constituency, is two hours’ express boat ride away from Kapit. The school has student population of over 400.
Also present were Member of Parliament for Hulu Rajang Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Kapit Division Resident Joseph Belayong Punan, Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, SMK Baleh’s principal Speed Bana, the school’s PTA chairman Gendang Sugit, and Saiful Anwar, a representative of Kapit District Education Office.
