Education Ministry to defend teachers sued by parents - Mahdzir

The Education Ministry will defend teachers sued by parents over issues between teachers and school children and strive to resolve the problems as quickly as possible, said Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

He said teachers were civil servants and they were protected by laws while on duty.

Mahdzir spoke to reporters after launching a 'teachers with the community' programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Machang 2 here today.

He said it was hoped that legal action against teachers would be the last resort to be taken by parents because the ministry had several ways of resolving problems that arose between teachers and students.

"The problems can be resolved internally (within the school) and with the involvement of district education officers and the state education director.

"It is hoped that the people will not sue teachers although there have been several isolated cases," he said. --- BERNAMA