Aggrieved teachers want end to double standards

Housing allowances have not been reviewed in 25 years, but the bigger resentment is the disparity in allowances between Peninsular and local teachers.

SIBU: Teachers in Sabah and Sarawak have had enough with the double standards and want the Putrajaya-led Education Ministry to standardise and review their housing allowances.

For the past 25 years, despite rising costs of housing and living, teachers have not seen an increase in their allowances.

According to Sarawak Teachers Union president (STU) Jisin Nyud said there has been “no positive feedback” from the public service commission (PSC) despite promises to look into the matter.

The low priority has irked teachers here and recent calls by two Sabah legislators for the Education Ministry to prioritise, and standardise allowances between East and West Malaysian teachers has received overwhelming support from the local unions.

“It’s high time the allowances be reviewed, especially the Regional Housing Allowances (RHA) of teachers in Sabah and Sarawak working outside their hometowns,” he said.

“The review should not be limited to only the regional allowance but also other allowances of teachers in schools, department and ministry.”

Echoing the Nyud’s view is the Sarawak Bumiputra Teachers Union (KGBS) president, Ahmad Malie.

“Rental costs here are no less expensive than the peninsular yet teachers have to pay them from their own pockets.

“This extra burden on our local teachers have to be reduced, ” he said

Sabah’s Sekong assemblyman Samsudin Yahya had last week raised the issue in the State Legislative Assembly.

He had proposed for the Education Ministry to review and standardise the RHA for teachers in Sabah and Sarawak serving outside of their home towns.

“Allowance for teachers transferred from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu or remote areas must be reviewed and adjusted accordingly,” he said.

Last month Tenom MP Raime Unggi reportedly inferred that the inconsistent RHA package was affecting the enthusiasm of teachers in the region and affecting output.

He pointed out the current disparity in the disbursements.

He said the RHA received by Grade 52 to Grade 54 teachers from Peninsular Malaysia posted to Sabah and Sarawak was between RM1,200 and RM1,300.

But teachers from Sabah and Sarawak on the same grade and posted to Peninsular received a lower rate at between RM900 and RM1,100.

“Teachers from Peninsula holding Grade 44 and posted to Sabah and Sarawak receive between RM730 and RM830, while those posted to the Peninsula only receive between RM200 and RM550.

“There are many complaints raised by teachers who question the disparity,” he said.

FMT Borneo Plus