Back in my school days, I secretly wished my teachers wouldn’t show up. I longed for those moments to catch up on homework or sneak in some extra shut-eye on our makeshift beds — just plopping our heads on the desk, using our arms as pillows. However, we Malaysians tend to undervalue the importance of having teachers around, especially given the rising concern of teacher absenteeism.
In July 2023, three former students from SMK Taun Gusi in Sabah nailed a lawsuit against their English teacher. The court found him guilty of truancy, shirking his duty to lead classes. This teacher skipped out on his class-conducting duties for a whopping 7 months, tossing fuel on the already blazing fire of teacher absenteeism. The fallout? Total chaos for the students, with their education taking a serious hit.
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Have you or someone you know experienced a similar situation?
A Wake-Up Call for Education
According to a 2009 OECD report, 19.5% of school principals reported teacher absenteeism. What’s even more eye-opening? Between 2010 and 2017, a shocking 55.4% of disciplinary cases heard by the Ministry of Education involved teachers being absent from duty. Now, that’s a red flag waving right in our faces, sparking serious concerns among us students about the future quality of our education system.
A friend from Pahang shared her lingering struggles with teacher absenteeism even years after graduating from an SMK. When her Chemistry teacher went on maternity leave, the school couldn’t find a qualified replacement for the entire stretch. Result? Her entire class stumbled, trying to catch up on the syllabus. It’s like trying to sprint in a race that nobody signed up for.
“Chemistry became my weakest subject among the three sciences. Learning it turned into a source of frustration,” she confided. It’s a shocking, yet common story that, in my opinion, should never happen, especially with predictable events like maternity leave. Teachers should plan ahead, and schools should have qualified substitute teachers to make sure students don’t fall behind.
Teacher Absenteeism’s Unseen Reach
Contrary to popular belief, teacher absenteeism isn’t confined just to public schools; private schools are not immune either. A friend from a private school in Selangor shared the challenges he faced when a science teacher frequently skipped classes, sometimes for several weeks, leaving him to navigate the syllabus on his own. Imagine dealing with that madness while gearing up for the PT3 examination.
He spilled the beans on the struggle — solo study sessions and post-school tuition. It wasn’t just about spending extra money; it was also about sacrificing precious time, all to get a grip on concepts that should’ve gone down in regular school hours. It’s like diving into a learning adventure without a map, and trust my friend, it’s no joyride.
Reflecting on my academic journey, I can’t help but appreciate my superhero teachers who were always present for us. Completing secondary school with teachers who didn’t leave us hanging was a privilege. They’d toss us work even when they took a scheduled day off! Let me tell you, every class is a big deal, a real game-changer. And when students miss essential learning time, it creates knowledge gaps, particularly in subjects that demand continuous learning, like languages.
Another friend who was preparing for her SPM in February 2024 shared her struggle with Bahasa Melayu. Without a teacher for a year and parents who didn’t speak the language at home, she experienced a deep sense of embarrassment for falling behind in our national language.
The Void Left by Absent Teachers
Teacher absenteeism is a big deal, especially during the critical formative years of primary and secondary school. A steady stream of education is like fuel for our brains, shaping them for greatness. UNESCO throws some wisdom our way, suggesting solutions in a toolkit tackling teacher absenteeism: tracking systems, discipline, and digging into what motivates and satisfies our teachers.
But hey, these solutions aren’t just for the school system. As students, we should advocate for ourselves, sharing experiences to collectively address this issue. Your voice matters. Share your stories with fellow students. Let’s team up and tackle this issue head-on. By speaking up and spreading the word, you become part of this powerful wave pushing for change in our national education scene.
Now in my first year of university – sure, a canceled class might still bring a smile. But I see it as a privilege to have teachers show up and make lessons interesting. Together, let’s make sure schools give us the education we need to change the world by putting a lid on teacher absenteeism.
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