Recruitment move applauded despite overdue

KUCHING: The Sarawak new teachers recruitment initiative announced by the federal Education Ministry (MoE) through the Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry recently is a laudable move even if it is slightly overdue.

The Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary School in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Datuk Jonathan Chai said shortage of teachers has been a long standing problem in Sarawak especially for those schools situated in the rural and interior areas.

“Perhaps this could be a key reason why our standard of education is lagging behind compared to our counterparts in West Malaysia.

“According to Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Sarawak is expected to face a shortage of 2,373 teachers by December 31.

“However, that figure is expected to drop by more than half with the recruitment process by Education Service Commission (SPP) and the placement of new teachers by the MoE between July and November this year,” he told Sarawak Tribune.

To the best of his knowledge, Chai said the shortage of teachers in SJK Chung Hua for example is not alarming even though other schools are short of teachers specialised in English and also Counselling.

“Even then, the problem could be exacerbated over time as there are an increasing number of teachers opting for premature retirement each year and I hope that the jobseekers with a bachelor degree could take this precious opportunity to submit their application online via the SPP official portal, MySPP.

“Teacher is relatively a well-paid job with a lot of holidays and of course, the candidates must have a keen interest in the teaching profession with a sacred mission and passion of educating our future generations,” he added.

On another note, he then stated there is also a special feature in the latest special recruitment programme undertaken by the MoE and SPP as it will prioritise candidates from areas where vacancies are available.

“This will prevent the issue of teachers requesting transfers from their assigned schools after appointment, a phenomenon which had occurred very frequently in the past.

“Some teachers from West Malaysia refused or are reluctant to report to the assigned schools in the rural and interior areas after receiving of their posting due to challenging and unfavourable living conditions.

“It is high time for the Ministry to get this problem resolved soonest possible as many teachers, especially those in the large schools, work overtime to cover for the shortage of teachers. Some teachers are even forced to teach subjects which are not their majors. Consequently, the quality or standard of education is compromised and that’s not fair or equitable to those students concerned,” he stated.

Additionally, Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Cooperative (KGBS) president Zulkiflee Sebli said that with the new recruitment, it is certain that it will greatly help to address the shortage of teachers for certain subjects, especially critical subjects.

He then also stated approval from the MoE and the federal government is crucial especially regarding other aspects of the recruitment, such as salary and allowance payments, need to be prioritised.

“That being said, there will be no issues in paying their salaries later. This is because the previous concerns were about who would be responsible for paying the new teachers’ emoluments and other employment issues,” he said.

He also hoped that the recruitment process is managed as best as possible.

“Future teacher candidates should truly have a teacher’s spirit and be willing to be placed in any school in Sarawak.

“Moreover, if possible, their first placement should be in rural areas so they can learn the meaning of hardship as educators.

“Mental and physical challenges must align for these new teachers. Senior teachers who wish to return to their hometowns should also have their transfer process considered and facilitated and let these senior teachers return to the families they have long been separated from. This matter should also be considered by the Sarawak State Education Department,” he added.

Recently, MoE and SPP are employing additional batches of teachers through a special recruitment initiative in a significant move to address the shortage of teachers in Sarawak.

Sagah said the recruitment is specifically designed to attract qualified undergraduates to join the teaching profession in Sarawak.

“It will start from tomorrow (Aug 1). The advertisement for the recruitment will start in August in SPP official portal. Candidates must submit their applications online via MySPP.

“SPP will screen the applications. And qualified candidates will proceed to the Teacher Candidates Qualification Test (UKCG), which assesses the character, personality, interest, suitability, psychological and mental health of the person.

“Then they will conduct a face-to-face interview in the second week of September and the results of your application will be announced sometime in October or November,” Sagah had said last Wednesday.