A POPULAR mathematics teacher who will know whether he will be dismissed or demoted today due to his public criticism of the state of education in Malaysia hopes things will change at the Education Ministry (MOE).
Mohd Fadli Salleh, who is currently attached to Sekolah Kebangsaan (1) Gombak, added that regardless of the decision by the Education Service Disciplinary Board, he hopes the next Government will prioritise the issue of education and not politicise it.
The direction of the country’s education, Fadli explained, should be steered by “those with knowledge” and academics as education is the heart of the nation and country.
“Who we are in the future and where our country is in the future is determined by today’s education,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday (Oct 17).
“The little children who are carrying their school bags today – they are potential future leaders who will drive the country one day.”
Fadli also said he has not heard back from the MOE about its decision yet, but noted that Education Service Disciplinary Board chairman Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof reportedly said the decision, to be relayed to Fadli today, would be confidential.
On Saturday (Oct 15), Fadli revealed that he was in hot soup after receiving a letter from the MOE stating he violated the civil servants’ code of conduct three times and disciplinary action would be taken against him as a result.
In the letter, dated Sept 22, 2022, Yusran recommended that Fadli be dismissed from his job or demoted for commenting about weaknesses in the Government’s policies, plans or decisions, which is a violation of Rule 19(1) of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
Yusran, who is also the MOE secretary-general, cited two Facebook posts made by Fadli last November and a Facebook live stream he hosted in the same month where he was alleged to have done so.
“Lab rats and robots”
Among others, Fadli had claimed that there were not enough public school teachers in Malaysia, students were being treated like “lab rats and robots” by having information “stuffed” into them in order to satisfy the higher-ups and there were “nonsensical” school syllabi.
Yusof said Fadli was required to provide a written representation to the MOE with reasons and proof countering the accusations levelled against him so that they can be dropped. This was to be done within 21 days of receiving the letter.
Caretaker education minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, on the other hand, has since offered to meet with Fadli and discuss his concerns but the latter has snubbed this – Fadli claimed Radzi never responded to his numerous Facebook posts and comments on the matter for years now.
Meanwhile, Fadli said he never expected his case, which has garnered the attention of caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, to go viral and “rock” the entire country.
But while he thanked those who were sincere in their support for him, he said he was not going to be “used” by any parties, including influencers and political parties, regardless.
“I am not excited with offers of money, titles and statuses or when someone famous or with a rank mentions my name and offers to meet with me,” he said in a separate Facebook post.
As for politicians coming up with “sweet promises”, Fadli said it would be better to include these in their election manifestos instead.
“Go ahead and highlight education issues on the political stages and in your fiery speeches. Implement every good and thoughtful suggestion for the good of Malaysians. But don’t drag me up to your political stage,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter which party,” he added, “be it Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional (PN) or others, I will not attend; my current way of advocacy will suffice for me.” – Oct 18, 2022
Main photo credit: Mohd Fadli Salleh
