Pix by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor
PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry will set up several committees to study a proposed code of ethics for parents and guardians.
Put together by the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP), the proposed code of ethics comprises of 15 dos and eight don’ts.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the ministry, via these committees, would look through the proposal with a fine tooth comb before making any decision on it.
"The NUTP has taken the initiative to improve ties between teachers and parents or guardians in a move to reduce untoward incidents like dragging teachers to court or getting into a fight.
"This code of ethics is for parents and guardians when they are dealing with school management.
"It is not merely used to safeguard teachers' wellbeing, but mainly to build a harmonious school environment," he said Thursday.
Earlier, Mahdzir met with NUTP high level committee members led by its president Kamarozaman Abd Razak, who had submitted the said proposal to the minister.
Kamarozaman said the 23-point code of ethics was formed based on input from all relevant stakeholders.
Among them are the police, lawyers, non-governmental organisations like Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) via its senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE), and the Sarawak Teachers Union.
Under the code, parents or guardians are also not allowed to send any threatening messages to teachers or school authorities via email, text message, voice note, phone calls or through their social media account.
It has also proposed that parents or guardians should not be allowed to bring helmets or any harmful objects, which may cause safety threats.
To a question, Kamarozaman said there was a downward trend on police reports lodged against teachers.
"Police have told us that there are such reports, but it was not made an issue.
"Education should be free from any form of animosity between teachers and parents as well as guardians," he added.