KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government Teachers’ Union (KGKS) has voiced its support for the National Union of Teachers’ (NUTP) call to the Public Service Department (JPA) to review the eligibility criteria for the School Administrative Task Allowance (ETPS).
KGKS President Murkam Hj Hussien stated that this ensures ETPS is granted to all Senior Subject Teachers (GKMP) regardless of school grade, preventing difficulties in appointing teachers to these positions in the future.
He mentioned that KGKS stands in solidarity with NUTP regarding the plight of GKMP who have lost their ETPS due to the downgrade of 626 schools from Grade A to Grade B nationwide.
Murkam noted that following this downgrade, 2,504 secondary school GKMP are no longer eligible to receive the allowance, and payments have been officially halted.
“In this matter, KGKS supports NUTP’s appeal. It is clear that cutting this allowance is unjust, as GKMP in both Grade A and Grade B schools bear the same workload, responsibilities, and work pressures,” he said in a statement today.
Murkam explained that previously, the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM) implemented a regrading of secondary schools effective January 11, 2026, based on three criteria: student enrollment (80% weighting), number of hostel residents (10%), and education level (10%).
As a result, 626 secondary schools were downgraded from Grade A to Grade B.
Subsequently, NUTP reportedly urged the Public Service Department (JPA) to reassess the eligibility for ETPS so that it is granted to all GKMP regardless of school grade, to avoid challenges in appointing teachers to these roles in the future.
It is understood that KPM submitted a proposal and appeal letter to JPA on August 13, 2026, to defend the allowance; however, JPA informed on September 23, 2026, that the appeal could not be considered.
Regardless, the 1,356 GKMP at the school who successfully advance to Grade A will receive their ETPS arrears payment next year.
Meanwhile, Murkam stated that KGKS has requested that JPA and KPM refrain from making retroactive allowance payments to any GKMP who do not qualify based on the effective date this November.
“This (retroactive payment) is an injustice to those teachers, and it deserves proper consideration,” he said.
