Next Friday, Malaysians will celebrate teachers, the people who personify the word 'educate' in education. What will this year's Teachers' Day hold? A cryptic 'good news' for teachers is all Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom would hint at to SONIA RAMACHANDRAN.

Q: What has happened to the memorandum by the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) to the Education Ministry to increase the salary of senior teachers with degrees who are earning less than newly-appointed teachers with diplomas?

A: All the unions, not just the NUTP, have sent us memoranda. What I can say is that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will announce some "good news" at the Teachers' Day celebrations next week.

Q: Any hints what the good news is about?

A: Maybe it will be in relation to promotions.
Q: A daily reported that a decision has been made to do away with the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English. Is this true?

A: It's not true. We will wait for the UPSR (Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah) results before making any decision.

Why scrap it? We have to wait for the facts and figures before making a decision.

Q: Will Literature in English be taught in primary schools?

A: Yes it will. The problem in primary schools is the command of English among the pupils. We want to strengthen the subject by introducing literature which would include storytelling, drama and debates.

The English Language Training Centre has been asked to identify around 25 "master teachers" who will be sent to the Regional English Language Centre in Singapore for training.

Q: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, in his motion of thanks on the royal address in Parliament, had asked for the removal of the different treatment between partially-aided schools and fully-aided schools. What is your opinion on that?

A: Wait until the winding up of the debate in Parliament where the minister (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein) will answer that and other questions and suggestions by members of parliament.

Q: In his motion of thanks in Parliament, Ong had said there was a shortage of teachers in vernacular schools. Your comment?

A: This is an old issue. We have temporary teachers for schools with insufficient teachers so there is no issue of insufficient teachers.

Q: Why is Teachers' Day celebrated on May 16?

A: This has to do with May 16 1956, when the Legislative Council of Malaya received the Razak Report as the National Education Policy.

Since 1972, Teachers' Day has been celebrated on May 16 to commemorate that event. On this day, we want teachers to reflect and evaluate themselves as well as improve areas of weaknesses.

Q: What is the theme for this year's celebrations?

A: The theme is "Teachers of Excellence Make a Country of Distinction". We also want the public to come forward to show their appreciation for teachers and to thank them for their contributions.

Q: Where will the celebrations be held?

A: The prime minister will grace the event at the Dewan Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh, Malacca.

Q: Will any special awards be given to teachers?

A: Teachers are the people who produce corporate and political leaders while they remain unsung heroes who work behind the scenes.

To commemorate their sacrifices, three national "Tokoh Guru" awards as well as one Education Minister Management Leadership award (Tokoh Kepimpinan Pengurusan Pendidikan Menteri Pelajaran) will be given out.

These awards are for retired teachers and each award recipient will receive RM10,000, a certificate and a plaque.

Other awards will also be handed out later that night, including excellence awards for teachers who teach special education, information and communications technology, as well as awards for disabled teachers.