(AFP) School principals have snubbed a government proposal that teachers sign a contract of "good behaviour" aimed at keeping politics out of the classroom, a report said today.

Education minister Musa Mohamad said teachers may be made to sign such an agreement to ensure they do not try to influence students with their political beliefs.

He said there were plans to make undergraduates and lecturers at local universities sign similar pacts.

But the Headmasters Federation president Sanip Suradi told The Star newspaper they would not support the proposal as it was unfair to teachers.

Sanip said the government should not blame all teachers just because some had misbehaved.

"We should not forget that teachers are responsible in producing good leaders with the help of the community. Therefore we should not punish all teachers just because a certain group committed malpractice in the profession," he added.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession has also opposed the plan, saying existing laws are sufficient to check any lack of discipline among teachers.

Sedition charge

The government is riled that a growing number of ethnic Malay students have taken part in anti-government protests following the sacking and jailing of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

Last week, a high school teacher in Terengganu was charged with sedition for setting a test question which allegedly incited hatred against the government and judiciary.

The question was: "You have been selected to take part in an elocution contest on the topic: Justice is eroding and lacking in the judiciary system of Malaysia. Prepare the speech."

Terengganu and neighbouring Kelantan are controlled by the opposition PAS.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has often accused PAS of spreading lies and inciting students to hate the government.