ALOR STAR: District Education Office has been instructed to collaborate with District Health Office to carry out periodical health screening on teachers nationwide.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said it is crucial for teachers to undergo comprehensive health screening every three or four years to ensure that they are "in the pink of health".
Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap member of Parliament said the screening would help to evaluate the teachers' physical and mental health so that intervention could be initiated at an early stage.
"This initiative could be done based on the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) through collaboration between the District Education Office (PPD) and District Health Office.
"The screening could be done without incurring additional cost to the government.
"It is important that the teachers are fit both physically and mentally as we want them to be in a good shape," he said after presenting fund to 31 Padang Terap Umno District Polling Centre representatives here today.
On similar note, Mahdzir also ordered Kedah Education Department to submit a report on the incident involving a female teacher who lost her temper during a meeting at a school in Kulim recently.
He said although it is an isolated case compared to the 435,000 teachers nationwide, the ministry viewed the incident seriously and want the matter to be resolved.
Mahdzir explained that the ministry's decision to transfer the teacher to Kulim-Bandar Baharu PPD was not a form of punishment but to allow the investigation process.
"Let the investigation process be completed first, then we will decide on the next course of action.
"As for now, it is wiser for me not to comment further until we receive the report to decide what is the best solution for the teacher's concerned," he said.
Mahdzir urged teachers to find ways to resolve their personal issues instead of allowing the issues to affect their duties in schools.
He was commenting on a viral video of a teacher from a school in Kulim who was seen shouting at her colleagues during a meeting on Wednesday.
A Facebook user who uploaded the video claimed that the teacher was suffering from mental illness.
The clip has drawn mixed reactions from netizens, including some who sympathised with the teacher and urged the authorities to take action to assist her.
