NUTP disagrees with 7A teaching qualification

Teachers must be all rounder and not merely academically excellent.

PETALING JAYA: The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) was kept in the dark on Education Ministry’s plan to have 30 percent teachers with good SPM results.

The union is also opposing this ruling as it does not see it as a viable way to improve the quality of education in schools.

NUTP president Hashim Adnan disagreed with the ruling but rather stressed on the need for a teacher to be an all rounder instead of being just academically excellent.

“They have to be Jack of all trades and master of none. It is not just academic results that make a good teacher.

“They must be good on the ground to coach and engage with students. Those having 3As with good track record of sports activities are sufficient enough to teach students,” said Hashim.

He said this in response to the announcement made by Second Education Minister Idris Jusoh earlier this month.

Idris said those seeking to join the teaching profession from Peninsular Malaysia must have a minimum of 7As in their SPM examination.

Those from Sabah and Sarawak are required to have a minimum of 5As. This requirement was made by the Education Ministry so that there are 30 percent candidates with good SPM results.

The current SPM requirements are 3As and a credit from three other subjects that includes Bahasa Malaysia and History.

Candidates need to have a pass in the English Language and have the required qualification for their chosen field of study.

Elaborating his point, Hashim who is a teacher in Perak, said that even 2As in SPM is adequate for aspiring teachers from the Orang Asli community.

“They can return to their community and teach,” he said.