LACK OF TEACHERS IN CHINESE SJK

THE issue on the lack of teachers in the Chinese government aided primary schools in Sabah was brought up by the Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Dr. Hiew King Cheu recently in Parliament. He asked the Minister of Education (KPM) Dato’ Muhyiddin Yassin on the reason why there is not enough teachers in these schools and the problem persisted for such a long time.

The minister in his written reply said this is widely due to the selected trainees for the teacher training course does not accept the terms of the training program and its contract, or stop half way. For example in 2009, there is 797 applicants rejected the offer and only 8,185 person being registered for the training.

This is because some of them have been given higher paid jobs else way and some joined JPA, MARA, Petronas or other private agencies. For those who terminated their training, are in breach of the agreement and contract and do not wish to serve under the KPM.

Under the program “Excellent Student Program”, from the 140 people sent oversea to study in 2003, only 73 persons managed to complete the training in 2009 and serve with KPM. Also the subjects offered for the trainee teachers were often not accepted and supported by the trainees who are selected and qualified to undertake such subjects.

As for the people who are not in the teaching profession and in their 40’s and wish to become a teacher, they are not qualified to be selected to be trained as a teacher. This is because there is an age limit of not more then 40. The ministry is at the moment considering a new ruling to allow them to be trained as a teacher.

KPM is looking seriously on the shortage of teachers in the government aided Chinese primary schools which includes the teacher appointment on various grades, posting and exchange, and creating new positions. In the case of further lack of the teachers, the department will have to agree to allow on the engagement of untrained temporary teachers, “Guru Sandaran Tidak Terlatih (GSTT)” to fill up the shortages and vacancies.

In connection to the complaints towards the Principal in the SK Cina in Luyang, he said the Ministry has conducted investigation, and through the Education Department in Sabah (JPN), the said Principal is carrying out her duty as stipulated by the department accordingly and following the procedures and rules of the department.

She is merely trying to put right the administration system of the school according to the system and power given to her. KPM found that the issue of transferring her is not necessary at the moment. She should be given time and a chance and room to put right what ever is lacking, the slackness, and on all further improvement in the school.

The reply from the ministry shows that they have certain problem to deal with the lack of teachers, and the issue is not being given full attention. This can be seen from the trainees refused to accept the terms and condition of the contract, on why they left training half way to go for higher pay with better condition of work, and why many trainees under scholarship did not complete their training.

The ministry should review and consider new measures to make the teaching profession more attractive and with high rewards. An improved teaching profession guidelines and system should be immediately drawn up to secure the teachers to stay on to educate our future generations.

-Sabahkini