The MIC Youth education bureau is irked by how a teacher who hurled stinging racial remarks at her students had been let off the hook. The 35-year-old teacher had since been transferred to a smart school located closer to her house, but the bureau argued that this was not a form of punishment at all.
"This is an issue which touches on racial sentiments. It does not involve an individual but refers to a large number of Indian students. "The teacher’s apology to the students and parents involved is not the best solution and does not diminish the gravity of her action," he said.
"Transferring (to another school) is not a form of punishment or harsh (enough) punishment for a teacher who crossed the boundaries," he added.
Police reports lodged
Earlier this month, two students from SMK Telok Panglima Garang in Hulu Langat filed police reports against the history teacher.
They revealed that the teacher had called Indian students 'keling pariah', 'Negro' and 'black monkeys', amongst other derogatory names.
In the reports, the Form Four and Form Five students said the teacher also told students during class that 'Indians came from dogs', Indians are 'children of prostitutes' and the community is 'stupid'. She also supposedly stated that the community's youths 'do not have testicles', 'always menstruate' and indulge in 'thuggery and theft'. He said the teacher had tarnished the dignity and professionalism of her profession and therefore was not qualified to be an educator. He also quoted Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong as saying during an interview that if the teacher was found guilty, stern action such as even dismissal would be taken.
"Transferring (her) to another school is not a stern action as promised," said Saravanan.
The education bureau chief also stated that the teacher must open apologise to all quarters through the media. He also noted that other teachers might do the same thing in order to get transfers to another school. The statement also revealed that the points raised by the bureau were endorsed by the parents and residents in the area.
Minister must explain
In a related development, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang described the incident as the latest episode to mar the 51st Merdeka celebrations in less than three weeks time. The Ipoh Timur MP said it highlighted the many failures in nation-building despite the government budgeting tens of millions of ringgit for this occasion.
"Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein should explain to Parliament, the nation and the voters of Permatang Pauh why the Education Ministry is condoning the unforgivable misbehaviour of a history teacher who repeatedly made racist, derogatory and even unprintable slurs against Indian students and the Indian community in class.
"By giving the delinquent teacher a "better deal" for her disgraceful misbehaviour, the Education Ministry is sending out a wrong and completely unacceptable message to all teachers as well as making a total mockery the legitimate protests of the parents and the Coalition of Malaysians Indian NGOs who had protested against the teacher's misconduct," he said in a statement.
The opposition politician also asked if Hishammuddin was unfit to demand that teachers should be exemplary model Malaysians to the new generation of students rising above race and religion when he himself has failed so miserably on this score with his three "keris-wielding" episodes.
A letter was sent to the Minister, Deputy, The School HM and PIBG Chairman. Please refer below or Letters folder.Source : Malaysiakini
http://malaysiakini.com/news/87628
