What damages were awarded to the former students?

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RM150,000 in Total Damages Awarded to Former Students

The Kota Kinabalu High Court awarded a total of RM150,000 in damages to three former students who sued their absentee English teacher and other defendants. The ruling found that the defendants had breached their statutory duties and violated the students' constitutional right to education.
Breach of Statutory Duties and Constitutional Rights

The three former students, Calvina Angayung, Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali, and Rusiah Sabdarin, all aged 22, had sued their former teacher, Mohd Jainal Jamran, along with the school's former principal, the Education director-general, the Education Ministry, and the government. They alleged that the teacher failed to attend and teach them for seven months in 2017. High Court Judge Leonard David Shim ruled that these defendants breached their statutory duties and violated the students' constitutional guarantee to education.
Damages for Educational Injustice

The court's decision to award RM150,000 in total damages acknowledges the impact of the teacher's absence on the students' academic progress. One of the plaintiffs, Calvina Angayung, specifically mentioned that the teacher's failure to teach them resulted in their failure in an English Language examination. This victory is seen as a vindication for the students and a recognition of the injustice they faced.
Call for Accountability and Policy Reform

The lawyer representing the students, Sherzali Herza Asli, highlighted the importance of the government recognizing such deficiencies and formulating policies to ensure teacher accountability. This case underscores the need for measures to safeguard the educational well-being and future prospects of students, ensuring that educators fulfil their responsibilities.
Broader Implications for Educational Responsibility

The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperation Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, commented on the shared responsibilities within the school ecosystem. He stated that teachers are obligated to be present and teach, and any failure to do so must be supported by valid reasons. He also noted the importance of students possessing discipline and having channels to voice concerns through their parents to the Parent-Teacher Association regarding school services.

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What damages were awarded to the former students?

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