Dayak NGOs upset non-S’wakians included in special teacher recruitment drive

MIRI (Oct 9): Four Dayak-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here expressed their disappointment at the inclusion of non-Sarawakians for the special teacher recruitment drive for Sarawak.

In a statement today, the NGOs said the Education Service Commission (SPP) should respect Sarawak’s wish for the special recruitment drive to be open to Sarawakians only by not accepting candidates from other states.

The press statement was signed by advisor of Persatuan Intelektual Pribumi Sarawak (Perantis) Wellie Henry Majang; president of Persatuan Masyarakat Salako dan Rara Sarawak (Perasa), Robert Umping; president of Raban Semadak Borneo Brotherhood, Jerry Robert and president of Persatuan Kebajikan Kaban Menyadi Miri, Thomas Inau.

“We are disappointed with the decision by SPP to open applications for a special teacher recruitment drive for Sarawak to applicants from all over the country. SPP will also be interviewing candidates from other parts of Malaysia, of course, the power is in their hands.

“This decision by SPP is a ‘tragedy’ for Sarawakians. It has led to disappointment and anger among Sarawakians who have been hoping to fill up the positions in their home state.

“Through this, we can also imagine that the crisis of teacher shortage in Sarawak will continue on without a holistic and comprehensive solution. Fundamentally, it will affect the quality of education for our Sarawak children,” they added.

They pointed out further that the initiative was supposed to address the shortage of primary and secondary school teachers in Sarawak, by prioritising Sarawakian graduates.

“There are teachers from the peninsula sent to teach in rural areas requesting to be transferred to other schools in the city or to their hometown because they cannot adapt to the rural areas.

“Local Sarawakians understand better the problems, issues and aspirations of their own community. They can definitely be role models and motivation for their students.

“They can be absorbed into the teaching force and trained at the Teachers Education Institutes (IPG) in Sarawak. In the long run, this will also help to increase the number of educated members of the society.

“Before this, SPP promised the Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn that the special intake was for trained teachers from Sarawak, following the shortage of teachers here. But they obviously did not keep their promise,” they lamented.

The NGOs highlighted that in the 20-point Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the 14th point stressed that the education system is under the control of the state government.

“Education autonomy is part of the MA63, and negotiation, under the Unity Government, is in progress to return the rights of Sarawak and Sabah which have been eroded all these while,” said the statement further.