Organise more recreational programmes for teachers, association told

SIBU: The Sibu Chinese Teacher Association (SCTA) has been told to organise more recreational programmes.

Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said teachers’ roles extend beyond classroom teaching.

He said the teaching profession is demanding, involving clerical work, administrative duties and co-curricular activities.

“I was informed by the chairman that they organise, from time to time, some workshops for teachers, some to equip them for further academic training, all these sorts of things.

“I know those are very important for teachers to equip them so that they are better teachers, but I suggested SCTA organise some recreational or destress programmes for teachers so that they at least come out from school and join SCTA programmes to destress (from their work),” he said.

Tiang (6th right) during the cake cutting ceremony.

He said this when met by reporters after attending the SCTA dinner in conjunction with Teacher’s Day celebration at Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Chancellor’s Hall at University of Technology Sarawak here last night (June 28).

Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, also pledged to support the association in terms of funding for such activities.

“I will give my full support, my sponsorship to any of these de-stressing programmes organised by SCTA in order to encourage the teachers. Sometimes they have to put down their work and relax and chill,” he added.

Tiang also congratulated 19 retiring teachers from SCTA for their contribution in the past.

“I am very honoured to meet all these retiring teachers because, in my life, I can always remember and feel appreciative towards my primary school and secondary school teachers.

“These are the teachers that really play a pivotal, essential role in my growing path. And they not only cultivated my interests in academic exploration and learning but also my character and personality,” he added.