SIBU: The increasing number of teachers opting for early retirement is closely linked to heavy workloads, family commitments, and the lack of protection in carrying out their duties, says Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president Kullin Djayang.
He explained that early retirement is often a personal choice, as not all teachers wish to serve until the maximum retirement age of 60.
“Many teachers apply for early retirement to follow their spouses. For example, when the husband retires at 60, the wife may also retire even if she is only 56.
“Others retire due to health issues affecting their spouse, themselves, children, or parents. These cases are common today and should be respected as they are tied to family responsibilities,” he said when officiating the prawn fishing competition held in conjunction with the STU 60th anniversary celebration here yesterday (Aug 23)
Kullin noted that the increasing workload in schools, much of which is unrelated to teaching, is another major factor.
“In addition, teachers are highly exposed to threats from students, parents, and even the community as they lack proper protection from the Ministry of Education (MOE) or the government in carrying out their duties.,” he added.
“Teachers are burdened with clerical tasks and online administrative work. On top of that, they face threats from students, parents, and even the community, yet lack adequate protection from the Ministry of Education (MOE) or the government.
“In most cases, any fault is placed entirely on the teacher. This forces them to limit their actions and live in constant fear when handling today’s increasingly challenging student behaviour,” he said.
He added that pressure from parents and the community further compounds the problem.
“Unlimited working hours also contribute to immense stress, especially when combined with demands from school administrators who are overly rigid about performance and often assign multiple tasks or last-minute instructions,” he said.
