By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 2: The Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) has called for a thorough investigation into two teacher death cases involving school compounds, while urging the Ministry of Education (MOE) to urgently address growing concerns over teachers’ burnout, mental health and workplace pressures.
STU president Kullin Djayang said the union viewed the cases seriously and wanted the relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incidents, particularly as both appeared to have occurred without the involvement of a third party.
He said the latest tragedy should serve as a reminder that teachers’ psychological wellbeing, lifestyle and mental health must receive greater attention.
“We are deeply saddened by these incidents and want the Ministry of Education to take issues relating to teachers’ psychology, lifestyle and mental health seriously,” he said in a statement today.
Kullin said prolonged stress could result in emotional burnout, anxiety and declining motivation, which he described as among the factors contributing to the increasing number of teachers seeking early retirement.
He stressed that while investigations must be allowed to determine the circumstances behind the deaths, the impact of sustained pressure on teachers should not be overlooked.
The union also called on MOE to review education policies that may be contributing to increasing stress among educators, including excessive workloads arising from school-related tasks and high key performance indicator (KPI) expectations.
According to Kullin, teachers today face not only professional demands but also personal challenges, which could intensify emotional pressure if adequate support systems are not in place.
He further urged the ministry to ensure schools provide safe and conducive working environments for both teachers and students, saying issues involving classrooms, hostels and teachers’ quarters could also affect teachers’ emotional wellbeing.
“As a union, we view these cases very seriously. We will not allow our STU members to be manipulated by any party and are prepared to take appropriate action if necessary,” he said.
Kullin also appealed to the public not to make any speculation regarding the cases while investigations are ongoing.
On behalf of STU, he conveyed condolences to the families of the teachers involved and reminded educators to prioritise their own health and wellbeing while carrying out their responsibilities.
The STU statement follows the latest incident involving a female teacher in her 30s who was found dead at a school in Hulu Selangor on Aug 1.
According to a New Straits Times (NST) report, Hulu Selangor district police chief Supt M Manimaran said police received an emergency call from a woman at 7.15am regarding the incident.
The victim was rushed to Hospital Kuala Kubu Baru for treatment but was pronounced dead at the hospital’s emergency unit.
Initial investigations found that the incident occurred in the staff room on the first floor of the school. A post-mortem examination was completed at 5.30pm the same day at the Forensic Department of Hospital Sungai Buloh.
The latest case has also brought renewed attention to the death of a teacher in Skudai, Johor, in June 2025, which sparked public discussion on teachers’ mental health, financial pressures and the support available for educators.
Police have urged members of the public with information on the Hulu Selangor case to contact the nearest police station or Hulu Selangor district police headquarters, while members of the public have been advised against making speculation as investigations continue. — DayakDaily
