THE Education Ministry should consider setting up mini legal aid clinics in every school, or at the very least, at each state Education Department.
The ministry should collaborate with the National Legal Aid Committee and the Malaysian Bar Council, in light of the growing number of reports lodged by parents against teachers.
The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) had proposed that the ministry implement a code of ethics for parents to protect teachers, as well as to maintain a harmonious relationship between both parties.
NUTP also stated that the code of ethics for parents would ensure that teachers’ dignity would not be adversely affected by any action taken by the parents.
Even with the proposed code of ethics, the legal aid clinic may be necessary as lawyers manning the clinic could advise parents and teachers on what is reasonable disciplinary action.
Parents need to understand that disciplining students is part of the teaching process, so long as the disciplinary action is reasonable.
Teachers now face cases of bullying, gangsterism and drug abuse. To teach in such an environment is challenging for teachers.
Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow,
Coordinator, Legal Aid Clinic,
Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai,
Negri Sembilan