ADEQUATE TEACHER PLACEMENT GUARANTEED TO SUSTAIN QUALITY PDP - MOE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) has reiterated its commitment to ensure sufficient teacher placement nationwide to guarantee optimal and effective teaching and learning (PdP) sessions.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said as of Aug 31 this year, 96.51 per cent of the 431,128 approved positions have been filled, involving a total of 416,096 teachers.

He said the ministry will carry out the placement of 10,096 new teachers in next month (November) to address shortages, particularly in critical subjects.

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“The three states with the highest placement rates are the Federal Territory of Putrajaya at 100 per cent, followed by Sabah (98 per cent) and the Federal Territory of Labuan (97.7 per cent), while Johor, Pahang, Sarawak, and Penang each recorded below 96 per cent.

“To overcome teacher shortages, especially in critical subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, English, Physical and Health Education, Design and Technology, Islamic Education, Moral Education and special education, several strategic measures have been implemented.

“One of the measures included placing 10,045 new teachers by Sept 22, which will increase the total number of new teachers this year to 20,141 with the November intake,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

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Wong was responding to a question from Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam), who inquired about the number of teacher vacancies by state and subject, pending applications, as well as measures to expedite the placement of new teachers.

In addition, he said the MOE is also ramping up recruitment through the Education Service Commission (SPP), including contract of service appointments for graduates of public and private universities, subject clusters, and the establishment of a special committee to address teacher shortages with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).

To strengthen long-term solutions, Wong said the ministry has also increased the intake for the Bachelor of Teaching Degree programme (PISMP) to more than 11,000 candidates this year, from 6,000 last year, to ensure a steady pipeline of teachers for the next five years.

“The PISMP intake involves candidates from the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and matriculation programmes,” he added.

-- BERNAMA