TEACHERS' COMPLAINTS AGAINST PRINCIPALS

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Education whether complaints made by teachers against their principals are investigated; and what action is taken against the teachers concerned if, on investigation, the complaints are found to be unfounded and unfair.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by my Minister to reply. Complaints made by teachers against principals are investigated. Disciplinary action would be taken against the teachers concerned if such complaints, after investigation, are found to be malicious. There are, however, not many known cases of teachers complaining openly against their principals. This may be due to the fact that correspondence between teachers and the Ministry is conducted through the principal.

Since January 1967 there have been four such cases. In one case, the principal was dismissed. In the second, the allegation was unfounded but as the complainants were anonymous, no further action could be taken. In the third case, some of the allegations were partly true and the principal was sent for and advised. In the fourth case, the allegation was unsubstantiated and the teacher, a temporary officer, was reprimanded. He has since left the service.