Deputy Premier suggests relocating Iban language study centre to local universities

KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has suggested relocating the Iban language study center to local universities in Sarawak, particularly Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), to address the shortage of Iban language lecturers at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Perak.
Highlighting the critical shortage issue, he mentioned that while many qualified Iban language teachers are eligible to become lecturers, the distant location and family constraints often force them to cancel their intention to serve at UPSI.
“We suggest that the Iban language study centre be moved to Sarawak to address this issue,” he said during his speech at the launch of the English-Iban translation dictionary at the Teachers Education Institute of Malaysia Batu Lintang Campus (IPGM Batu Lintang) on Thursday (Jan 25).
Speaking to the media later, Uggah added that a discussion would be held with Unimas to explore the possibility of offering Iban language as one of its courses.
Addressing another concern, he noted the absence of intake for the Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching Programme (PISMP) in the Iban language by the Ministry of Education for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
According to Uggah, based on the Iban Language Academic Session 2022/2023, there are 2,836 Iban language teachers in primary schools, but only 385 have chosen the Iban language option.
In secondary schools, there are 282 Iban language teachers, with only 63 opting for the Iban language option.
“If not addressed, this issue could cripple the Iban language education that has been implemented since 1963. Therefore, I sincerely hope that the intake and offering of the Iban language programme in these institutions will continue every year to meet the needs of the insufficient number of Iban language teachers.”
Uggah also pointed out the current situation where only one officer manages the Iban language at the State Education Department and appealed for an increase in this number to facilitate language-related management.
Regarding the idea of establishing a special institute for learning the Iban language, he mentioned that there is a proposal in progress, currently being studied to ensure systematic and planned establishment.
“I think a lot of issues we have to resolve, especially on the development of Iban language, from reference books to education and teachers, and so on.”
The launch event was attended by former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, and IPGM Batu Lintang Campus director Dr Abang Ismail Abang Julhi.