NUTP Welcomes SSDM Improvements, Addressing Teacher Burden

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) – The Ministry of Education’s (MOE) decision to restore the Student Self-Personality System (SSDM) to its original function of recording student misconduct is a precise step that can reduce teachers' workload.

National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang said that previously, teachers had to input hundreds, even thousands of good student practice data into the SSDM, even though the system was originally intended for recording student misconduct.

“Therefore, when Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that the system will be restored to its original function, we believe this is very reassuring news for teachers across the country," he said at a press conference at the Malaysian Teachers' Voice Convention 2025 here today.

Earlier at the convention today, Fadhlina was reported to have said in her opening address that the improvement measures would allow teachers to focus on their primary responsibilities, particularly the implementation of the New Primary and Secondary School Curriculum in 2026 and 2027.

Fadhlina was also reported to have said that these improvement measures will be finalised in the near future to ensure their implementation truly helps to ease teachers' tasks.

Aminuddin said the announcement was in line with the findings of the NUTP study presented at the convention, which involved 26 studies nationwide related to current issues and the workload of teachers.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin also expressed his appreciation to the MOE for the recruitment of over 10,000 new teachers, including 500 guidance and counselling teachers, which he hopes will reduce the workload and shortage of teaching staff in schools.

He added that the NUTP proposed that the ratio of guidance and counselling teachers be changed to one teacher for every 350 students, compared to the current 500 students, following an increase in disciplinary issues and the negative influence of technology and social media among students

Meanwhile, NUTP assistant secretary-general (Research and Development) Muhammad Ridzuan Idris suggested that the MOE conduct a comprehensive study on the mental health of teachers nationwide to enable the formulation of more comprehensive interventions.

The Malaysian Teachers' Voice Convention 2025, organised by the NUTP in collaboration with the Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, brings together 26 key issues related to teachers, including aspects of well-being, professionalism and character development of educators.

--BERNAMA