Dept head panicked when sued: Witness
Published on: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
By: Cynthia D Baga
Nurhaizah said Norhana related the teacher absenteeism case as ‘a security threat’ because the district education office, Sabah Education Department and also the government were all being sued by students because an English Language teacher never stepped into the class to teach the students who were sitting for their SPM exam.
Kota Kinabalu: A former teacher Nurhaizah Ejab, 39, said SMK Taun Gusi’s former language department head Norhana Idek revealed that she was under pressure from various quarters, including the Sabah Education Director, because of teacher absenteeism in the school went viral in 2018.
“She (Norhana) said “third world war would break out”. She was referring to teacher absenteeism as a national security threat,” said Nurhaizah.
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Nurhaizah said Norhana related the teacher absenteeism case as ‘a security threat’ because the district education office, Sabah Education Department and also the government were all being sued by students because an English Language teacher never stepped into the class to teach the students who were sitting for their SPM exam.
“She was crying asking for sympathy because she feared being transferred to the interior and leave her only daughter in Kota Belud.
“She (Norhana) knew she was in the wrong for not taking action against Jainal (the absent teacher) in 2015,” said Nurhaizah.
Nurhaizah was testifying before High Court Judge Datuk Ismail Brahim, in the hearing of the suit filed by Siti Nafirah Siman, 23, against Mohd Jainal Jamrin, SMK Taun Gusi Principal Suid Hanapi (in his capacity as Principal of SMK Taun Gusi), SMK Taun Gusi, Kota Belud District Education Officer, Sabah Education Director, Director General of Education Malaysia, Minister of Education Malaysia and Government of Malaysia, who were named as first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eight defendants.
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The plaintiff is seeking, among others, a declaration that eight defendants are in breach of their statutory duty under the Education Act by failing to ensure that she is taught the English Language during the period of February 2015 to Oct 2015 and prepare her for examinations as prescribed under the Education Act.
Nurhaizah further said that Norhana was also aware that she (Norhana), the then principal, and Jainal were subject to disciplinary action.
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She further testified that Norhana also told her that the case does not need to be heard because Jainal has already received retribution with the viral of the case throughout Malaysia.
Counsel Shireen Sikayun defended Siti Nafirah while Senior Federal Counsel Jesseca Daimis and Federal Counsel Mohd Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir acted for the defendants.
Counsel Datin Mary Florence Gomez (Sabah Law Society’s Women and Children’s Rights Sub-Committee Chairperson) and Yannik Mohd Annuar are holding a watching brief for Suhakam.
Trial continues.
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