A Malaysian woman has ignited widespread criticism online after questioning why teachers continue to draw full salaries during school holidays, claiming the arrangement was unfair compared to private-sector employees who work year-round.
In a post highlighted by mStar, she accused educators of receiving pay “without doing any work” throughout the year-end break.
“School holidays are coming. Teachers basically get free salary for a month. It’s unfair. Those earning RM10,000 get it just like that,” she wrote, adding that private-sector workers must “work day and night” for even a half-month bonus.
Her remarks triggered immediate backlash, with many netizens defending teachers and condemning her for belittling the profession. Several urged her to take up teaching herself if she believed educators had it easy.
In response, the woman denied being arrogant and claimed she had once been offered a place at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) after SPM but chose to study arts and culinary instead.
As criticism intensified, she posted an apology, stating that her earlier comments were part of a “social experiment”. She also claimed she would soon begin a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (DPLI) at an IPG in the northern region.
She added that she hoped to be posted to Kelantan or Johor, joking that she wished to “meet a soulmate” from one of those states.
Her explanation, however, was met with skepticism. Many users questioned the authenticity of her claims, including whether IPG even offers a DPLI programme.
“Since when does IPG offer DPLI? Are you telling the truth? Seems fake,” one commenter wrote.
Netizens argued that her attempt to reframe the situation appeared to be an excuse following heavy backlash and that the controversy could have been avoided had she shown greater respect for the teaching profession.
