Teachers in Pantu Slam YB Snowdan Lawan Over his allegation that teachers have been skipping classes

Pantu Sri Aman
Friday, 2nd June 2010

Congratulations YB for Being Braved Enough to Expose the Snaking Teachers in N25 Balai Ringin

Several hundred teachers from both the primary and secondary schools here are furious at Balai Ringin state assemblyman Snowdan Lawan for alleging that teachers in his constituency have been skipping classes.

“We are angry and unhappy over the sweeping statement. No doubt there are bad apples among us, but the number is few,” said a primary school headmaster, who refused to be named.

“Many of us are committed and dedicated teachers,” he said, slamming Snowdan for seeking cheap publicity.

Snowdan had last Saturday told Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin that teachers in his Balai Ringin constituency have been skipping classes.

“They teach three days only and the rest of the week they absent themselves,” he had said.


Muhyiddin, also Education Minister, was at Sapa longhouse, Pantu, where he launched the longhouse pre-school.

SRK Pantu where the teachers were alleged Snaking...Work three days and then Missing

Based on Snowdan’s complaint, Muhyiddin has directed the State Education Department to investigate and warned teachers that action would be taken against those who played truant.

Describing it as a “serious matter”, he said this was very embarrassing to the Education Ministry.

Contacted today by FMT, an education officer, who refused to be identified, confirmed that investigations have begun.

But he believed the number of teachers involved in truancy was small.

“I don’t believe the number is big. I know most of the teachers are dedicated,” he said.

The chairman of Sarawak Teachers Union William Gani Bina was not available for comment.