Association calls on govt to address Iban language teachers’ shortage

MIRI (July 27): Persatuan Intelektual Pribumi Sarawak (Perantis) is calling upon the government to take holistic and comprehensive approach towards overcoming the problem of Iban language teachers’ shortage in Sarawak.

In a joint press statement, its deputy president Nelly Tawai and women’s chief Robbia Jarup had suggested that the intake for Iban Language Bachelor’s Degree Programme (PISMP) be increased to 100 individuals, for the June 2025-2030 programme.

“We also suggest that the Bahasa Iban Diploma Programme at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and the Bachelor of Teaching in Bahasa Iban Programme at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) for secondary school teachers be revived.

“If this problem is not addressed now, it is feared that it would affect all efforts in improving the mastery of the Iban language among the younger generation.

“The language is no longer an ethnic language to be used and spoken by the Iban community alone, but has developed into one of the languages ​​owned and learned by the people as a whole,” said the statement.

It stated that the issue of Iban language teachers shortage was not something new, in that it had been going on for a long time without any final solution in sight.

The matter had also been raised in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, it added.

“So far, there are 693 primary schools with 67,308 pupls taking the Iban Language subject. However, there are only 352 Iban Language teachers available, while the required quota is 593.

“Meanwhile, a total of 83 secondary schools with 20,070 students are taking the Iban Language subject, but with only 79 teachers available, versus the required quota 182,” said Perantis, pointing out that this proved the significance of the issue’s complexity.