Code of conduct for parents, guardians of students soon: NUTP

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) is in the midst of finalising some guidelines that will be included in the code of ethics for parents and guardians.
NUTP president Kamarozaman Abd Razak said such guidelines are meant to create a more harmonious relationship between parents and teachers as well as a safer teaching environment for teachers.
"Among the guidelines currently included in the code of ethics are parents or guardians must always refer to the school principal should they have an issue with a teacher. Parents or guardians are not allowed to bring helmets, or other items that could be used as a 'weapon' to school and failure to follow the rules would give the school the right to contact the authorities.
"Parents must avoid from using abusive or defamatory comments on the social media, failing which the schools can either lodge a report with the authorities or bar the person from entering the school compound," Kamarozaman said during a press conference yesterday.
He added that if the parent or guardian is unhappy over something, there is a proper channel for them to voice their discontent - raising their voice, using vulgar or rude language or even using the social media and the internet to abuse or shame the teachers is not the way.
Asked if the code would be enforced anytime soon, Kamarozaman said the enforcement will be up to the Education Ministry as the union can only make suggestions, but they will be submitting the code to the ministry once they have gotten feedback from those in the special education field.
"We will be submitting the code to the ministry for their endorsement and enforcement when the meeting between the union and the education ministry happens," he added.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid had recently announced that they welcome NUTP's proposal for a code of ethics for parents and guardians to protect teachers and the ministry would hold a meeting with the union this month to further discuss the code.