KGBS seeks continued RM120 allowance for senior teachers

KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers’ Union (KGBS) has called on the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) to retain the RM120 monthly allowance for Senior Subject Teachers (GKMPs), regardless of their schools’ classification.

Its president, Zulkiflee Sebli, said the School Administration Duty Allowance (ETPS) should remain in place even when schools are downgraded from Grade A to Grade B or C, as GKMPs continued to shoulder largely unchanged responsibilities.

He said GKMPs play an important role in coordinating curriculum implementation, guiding subject teachers, and monitoring the effectiveness of teaching and learning.

“The payment of allowances should take into consideration the actual workload, responsibilities and functions performed by the officers, rather than being determined solely by the school’s grade,” he said.

Zulkiflee said withdrawing the allowance could affect teachers’ motivation to take up GKMP positions, which involved additional academic and administrative responsibilities.

He said the position required considerable commitment in terms of time, energy, expertise and academic leadership, with GKMPs responsible for management duties, monitoring, coordinating academic programmes and supporting improvements in teachers’ professional competencies.

“If these additional responsibilities are not accompanied by appropriate recognition and financial compensation, it may create the perception that additional workloads are not being adequately appreciated,” he said.

“In the long term, this situation could discourage experienced teachers from taking up middle leadership positions in schools,” he added.

On concerns among affected teachers, Zulkiflee said KGBS is aware of the issue and understood the concerns of GKMPs who might be affected by the withdrawal of the allowance.

He said the union remained open to receiving complaints, feedback and views from educators throughout Sarawak.

Among the measures proposed by KGBS were maintaining the RM120 allowance for all GKMPs who continued performing their duties regardless of school classification, and reviewing the existing eligibility policy based on actual workloads and responsibilities.
The union also called for engagement sessions with teachers’ unions before implementing decisions affecting teachers’ welfare and financial entitlements.

It proposed protection measures for officers who were already appointed as GKMPs before their schools underwent changes in classification, as well as periodic reviews of the allowance rate.

“Teachers should not be expected to carry greater responsibilities while receiving diminishing recognition for the duties they perform,” Zulkiflee said.