LETTER | The proposal that teachers could soon evaluate their own school administrators is not something different or new as we educators ourselves had voiced this out but were ignored and not entertained.

Definitely, none of the administrators with open arms will say “yes” as everyone knows it will not be seen as favourable to them.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik is, in fact, aware that the Ministry of Education will now come up with an “allow and give us time to evaluate the proposal” move.

His recommendation also mentions the assessment of the performance and credibility of education administrators (we need to include the head of units, heads of department, deputy directors and the directors of the PPD, JPN, IPG and etc.) as well as appropriate mechanisms and systems to implement this proposal.

Education sector personnel are also using a new performance appraisal system called the Integrated Assessment for Education Service Officers.

In the context of government employees, the “officer being assessed” (pegawai yang dinilai) is often denied a transparent, honest and sincere assessment by the assessing officer and is forced to accept facts and statements given by the “group” who conducts the appraisals.

This has been running since the first era of Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah.

Even though the administrator is responsible for providing a productive environment, the views and opinions of officers being assessed are rarely respected and are usually discarded.

We educators are strongly advised to comply and cooperate in all activities. Although we all have the same roles, goals and objectives, we are often forced to accept and follow a one-way “administration” style.

Whether it is true that the opinions, views and voices of the government staff are to be heard or entertained remains to be seen as there has been no positive indication that this has been demonstrated.

Will the administrators or those who are the heads of unit, heads of department or directors be ready to be openly rated or assessed by their subordinates.

Certainly, they will disagree as they will say “they are the leaders, they are powerful and they are the only ones, the chosen ones and have the right to say 'no'”.

Should a pre-run be held in assessing the administrators, the assessment must be evaluated by an independent and neutral committee the organisation itself. This is to ensure the opportunity for parties to respond honestly, transparently and sincerely and without being afraid.

Officers who are often victims are only able to pray and hope views and comments given through the proposed assessment process will be given the appropriate consideration.

The assessment of existing feedback itself is still being held up and is not being attention the proper attention by the relevant institutions.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.