Teachers’ Workload Crisis Needs a Comprehensive Solution, Says KONGRES

The Malaysian Congress of Teachers’ Unions (KONGRES) has urged the Education Ministry to take stronger and more systematic action to reduce teachers’ workloads, arguing that educators must be allowed to refocus on their core responsibility — teaching.

KONGRES president Mohamad Zapawi Mamat said the issue of excessive workloads has persisted for years despite several measures introduced by the ministry. 

Teachers Need More Time to Focus on Teaching

KONGRES said teachers continue to face various non-academic responsibilities that can take time away from classroom teaching, assessment and student development.

While the removal of low-impact programmes and efforts to limit non-academic tasks are welcomed, the union said success should ultimately be measured by whether teachers actually feel a meaningful reduction in workload at school level. 

The union proposed a “one in, one out” principle, where any new task introduced should be matched by the removal of an existing task that is no longer relevant.

KONGRES also called for teacher input to be considered when new policies are designed, warning that improving education quality will remain difficult if teachers continue absorbing every additional responsibility.