Parent Criticises Teacher For Taking 7 Days Leave To Travel Overseas During The Semester
However, netizens said it was perfectly reasonable for the teacher to go on vacation.
By May Vin Ang — 06 Jun 2024, 12:59 PM
A primary school teacher is being criticised by a parent on social media for taking leave during the semester to travel overseas
The parent of a student from a school in SS2, Petaling Jaya had anonymously complained about the teacher on Facebook community group, SJK(C) Fees Monitoring Forum.
"I have a question to ask. Last month, my son came home to tell me that his class teacher did not come to school because she was travelling overseas, but I told him that couldn't be, no teacher would travel abroad during school days," wrote the parent.
"However, one day, while I was scrolling on my phone, I was shocked to see a familiar face! And in the photo, she was overseas! I couldn't believe my eyes.
"I really want to know can schools approve teachers to travel abroad during work days?" wondered the parent.
The parent also wondered how the teacher could be allowed to hold an additional part-time job, questioning the teacher's dedication to her main work
"The teacher was far away in Paris as part of a direct sales company tour and posting publicly about it on social media!
"Is she not afraid that some parents will see this? I'm really disappointed and angry," the parent said.
The parent was also in disbelief that the teacher had applied for seven working days off, making her holiday in Paris a 10-day trip.
The Facebook post went viral, with netizens pouring in to share their opinions on the matter
While some agreed with the parent, many more said it was perfectly reasonable for the teacher to go on vacation.
"I really feel sorry for teachers after reading this Facebook post," said a netizen.
"What a scary parent! Don't teachers deserve to have their own lives?" questioned another.
A Facebook user jokingly advised all teachers to remember to block their students' parents on social media.
Following the viral discussion, the teacher's younger brother also took to Facebook to defend her actions
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, 5 June, Facebook user Warren Chew said his sister made proper arrangements before going abroad and had even hired a substitute teacher at her own expense.
"In her 10 years of working as a teacher, this is the first time she applied for seven days leave to travel overseas. Do you really need to be so unsympathetic towards my sister's honeymoon trip with her husband after many years of marriage?" he said.
Chew also contended that his sister is a hard worker — working two jobs to earn a living to support her children and their ageing parents — and has even become more confident in teaching after inheriting the direct sales business from their retired mother.
"Please don't put this merciless pressure on my sister and let this go," he requested.
In March, the Public Service Department (JPA) drew flak for saying that annual leaves are not a right:
