The Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) has called for all cases involving teachers who die within school premises to be investigated thoroughly to determine the actual cause of the incidents.
STU president Kullin Djayang said the union viewed such incidents seriously and urged the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) to pay greater attention to teachers’ psychological well-being, lifestyle and mental health.
“We want all cases involving teachers who pass away to be properly investigated by the relevant authorities, especially when the incidents occur within school areas.
“We are deeply saddened by these incidents and hope the MOE will take issues involving teachers’ psychological condition, lifestyle and mental health seriously,” he said.
Kullin said prolonged pressure could contribute to emotional exhaustion, anxiety and declining motivation among educators, adding that these factors may also influence some teachers’ decisions to opt for early retirement.
He stressed that STU regarded the matter as a serious concern and would not allow its members to be treated unfairly by any party, adding that the union was prepared to take appropriate action if necessary.
Recently, a female teacher was reported to have been found unconscious at a school in Hulu Selangor before she was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at a hospital.
Hulu Selangor District Police Chief Superintendent M. Manimaran said police received an emergency call through the MERS 999 line at about 7.15am regarding the incident.
The teacher was later taken to Hospital Kuala Kubu Bharu but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at the Emergency Department.
Following the incident, Kullin urged the MOE to review education policies that may contribute to rising stress levels among teachers, including workload demands and high Key Performance Indicator (KPI) expectations.
He said excessive school-related tasks due to KPI requirements, along with personal pressures, could further affect teachers’ emotional well-being.
Apart from education policies, Kullin also called on the ministry to ensure safer working environments for teachers and students, including classrooms, hostels and teachers’ quarters.
He added that unsafe surroundings could also contribute to stress and affect the overall well-being of educators.
Meanwhile, Kullin urged the public not to speculate about the incident and to allow authorities to complete their investigations.
On behalf of STU members, he expressed condolences to the family of the teacher involved and reminded educators to prioritise their health and well-being while carrying out their responsibilities.
