C. Terms and Conditions of Service

Presently, teachers are entitled to seven rest leave days a year, a maximum of 90 days medical leave, 60 days maternity leave, 14 days leave to attend union matters and three days leave if one’s wife is in labour. The seven rest leave days can be accumulated to a maximum of 120 days throughout one’s career to be eligible for a golden handshake, that is equivalent to 4 months of a beginning teacher’s salary.

Perks of the profession include free medical treatment at government clinics or hospitals, a housing loan and a car loan at a flat rate of 4% interest, and pension upon retirement.

D. Scholarships, bursaries, loans

These are now freely available for non-graduate teachers to pursue degree courses as the Ministry of Education is keen to upgrade them. Scholarships are also available for graduate teachers who are interested in pursuing their studies up to masters or doctorate level.

E. Career Pathways

A serving teacher with sufficient years of service can be appointed in any of the following posts:

• Senior subject teacher (Ketua Bidang)
• Coordinator of co-curricular activities (Penyelaras Ko-Kurikulum)
• Senior assistant (Penolong Kanan)
• Student affairs officer (Hal Ehwal Pelajar)
• Headmaster/Headmistress/Principal (Guru Besar/Pengetua)
• Excellent teacher (Guru Cemerlang)

F. What Teachers Do

On the average, a teacher is given 22 – 27 teaching periods besides co-curricular activities and other responsibilities. The working hours are from 7.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. depending on the school.

The school offers ample opportunities for Christian work such as being a Christian Fellowship advisor or school counsellor. In many small towns, Christian teachers are the pillars of the local churches; they serve as church leaders, pulpit speakers, Sunday School teachers etc. Whatever a Christian teacher is, he becomes a vital contact person for any new teacher by helping the latter to adapt to a new environment and extending the hand of fellowship.

G. Challenges

A teacher can be posted anywhere according to the sovereign will of God. He or she can find himself/herself in isolated places, away from Christian fellowship. Promotional prospects are also few. Teaching, being relational demands various degree and types of interpersonal skills.

H. Support

However, the Christian teacher is not alone. To stay focussed on his/her calling, every Christian teacher is encouraged to join the Teachers’ Christian Fellowship (TCF), Catholic Teachers’ Association (CTA) or Scripture Union (SU). Wherever, a teacher is posted, he / she should make it a point to find a church to have fellowship.

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