The education ministry and public services department have been urged to review the implementation of a new 25km “straight-line” travel allowance rule for teachers in Sabah.
The allowance for teachers travelling from their home to their schools is capped at a travel distance of 25km, measured as a straight line on a map rather than the actual distance covered by road.
The Sabah government teachers’ union (KGKS) said this rule cannot be implemented rigidly in Sabah given the state’s hilly terrain and lack of infrastructure, like roads.
KGKS president Gundohing Murkam Hussien cited the example of teachers working at SK Penimbawan Tuaran, which can be reached by boat or road, The Borneo Post reported.
“The first way is by boat along the river, which takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on weather conditions. The second is to use a car and drive for 78km.
“This means that strictly enforcing the 25km requirement is not appropriate. After considering the views of all KGKS members, the union has agreed to appeal to the ministry to review this issue,” he said.
Gundohing said several teachers under KGKS were taking home lower salaries now because of this rule.
Previously, they were given the travel allowance after it had been verified by the district education office.
Gundohing also said some teachers were ordered to repay the allowances they had “wrongly” received, forcing a few of them to apply for bank loans or sell their cars to pay off the amount.
“Of course, the teachers involved have been badly affected, leading to a decrease in their enthusiasm for work.
“All those involved in the process (of approving the allowances for the teachers) should by right be held responsible and share the cost of these claims,” he said.
