Sagah hopes shortage of teachers in S’wak addressed through recruitment drive

SIBU (Aug 26): Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn is hopeful that the shortage of teachers in Sarawak can be overcome with the recruitment drive.

The Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak pointed out there has been overwhelming response to the special recruitment drive for temporary teachers in Sarawak, which ended Aug 23.

“About 15,000 applications have been received, and hopefully, by December (this year), we will be able get the 1,100 temporary teachers (from the total applications).

“They (successful candidates) will be placed in all schools (across Sarawak),” he said.

Sagah told reporters this after a site visit to Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) Sibu today.

Commenting further, he informed that successful candidates will be offered a two-year contract.

“This is a special arrangement that we have with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Education Service Commission.

“Within those two years, they will have to take their Diploma in Education.”

He also delved into how the applications will be vetted and shortlisted for teachers qualifying examination, followed by a physical interview.

Additionally, Sagah revealed it is estimated that another 1,000 eligible candidates already possessing a Diploma in Education will be engaged in a bid to address Sarawak’s shortage of teachers.

“Rest assured that those who have the Diploma in Education, who are eligible to be teachers – that batch have been interviewed already in early August.

“Those who are eligible from that group – it is estimated that we will get another 1,000 teachers.

“Actually, our shortage (of teachers in Sarawak is) about 2,000 plus, mainly in English, Mathematics and even early childhood.

“So, hopefully, we can address the shortage of teachers (in Sarawak),” he said.

Sagah noted that there will be teaching vacancies each year due to teachers reaching the mandatory retirement age, and some venturing into business as well as taking other job offers.

On the 90:10 ratio of local teachers to those from outside the state, he said there are always more Sarawakian teachers.

“But rest assured that our quota of 90:10 – we are always above 90 per cent; always more Sarawakians here.”

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee was also present at the project site visit.