Education Ministry urged to tighten SOPs for third-party activities in schools

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of the Teaching Profession of Peninsular Malaysia (NUTP) has urged the Education Ministry to tighten standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing third-party activities in schools.

Its president Aminuddin Awang said the call followed a revelation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that schools have been targeted by financial fraud syndicates conducting surveys and promotional roadshows for their businesses.

"We are shocked MACC's revelation. At the same time, this serves as a challenge for educators to remain vigilant.

"Previously, we found that teachers were not only targeted by such groups, but were also approached for various businesses and investment schemes aimed at making them customers," Buletin Utama reported.

He added that the disclosure should serve as an eye-opener for all parties, especially school administrators, to be more cautious and avoid falling victim to such syndicates.

"We hope this revelation will prompt all parties, particularly school administrators and the Education Ministry, to take firmer measures to prevent more teachers from being caught up in such activities.

"We also hope that the ministry will implement stricter SOPs for external parties conducting various programmes or surveys in schools.

"Additionally, we want financial literacy programmes to be enhanced among teachers, especially through in-service training programmes regularly organised by schools," he added.

Previously, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed that financial consultancy firms behind personal loan fraud syndicates had enlisted celebrities and artistes as official ambassadors to promote their businesses.

Schools were also used as venues for roadshows and surveys as part of efforts to lure teachers as potential clients.