KOTA KINABALU: The three former students of SMK Taun Gusi in Kota Belud, who filed a suit against their English language teacher for failing to turn up for class for seven months in 2017, are grateful for their win.
The students had named their English teacher, Mohd Jainal Jamran, as the first defendant, then school principal Suid Hanapi as the second defendant, the Education Ministry director-general as the third defendant, the Education Minister as the fourth defendant and the government as the fifth defendant.
The trio — Calvina Angayung, Rusiah Sabdarin and Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali — filed the suit on Dec 7, 2020.
They sought a declaration that the defendants were in breach of their statutory duty under the Education Act by failing to ensure that the plaintiffs were taught the English language during the material time for the year 2017, and failing to prepare the plaintiffs for examinations as prescribed under the Education Act.
Calvina said the incident of the teacher skipping classes was still fresh in their memory.
"We are the victims of this teacher's injustice, which led to our failure in the English examination.
"Today, justice has been upheld.
"I hope that this case can also be a motivation for those who still choose to remain silent in the face of injustice.
"May today's victory prove that our rights as citizens of the country are protected and respected," she said in a statement.
Calvina also thanked witnesses who appeared in court and others who supported them, as well as their lawyer Sherzali Asli.
Another plaintiff, Rusiah, said that following the court's ruling, she hoped that all parties, whether from the schools or the education authorities, would monitor the presence of teachers in schools.
"They should take the students' complaints seriously.
"My hope is that students will be empowered to speak up and know their rights as students."