Chinese grads posted to primary schools

These language teachers thought they would be placed in secondary schools.

PETALING JAYA: Chinese language graduates from Sultan Idris University of Education have been placed in primary schools, vocational schools and boarding schools despite their qualification.

The 157 teachers thought they would be sent to secondary schools.

MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon criticised Deputy Education Minister Mary Yap for being unable to handle the issue.

“As deputy education minister, it is important that the issue be treated from an education point of view and should not be labelled as a ‘race’ issue,” he said.

“To date, there are many teachers with Chinese language backgrounds teaching other subjects but are still labelled only as ‘Chinese language’ teachers,” Chong said in a press conference.

He added that the issue should be rectified immediately.

Chong had earlier led a delegation of MCA members as well as Chinese education organisations such as Dong Zong and Jiao Zong to hand over a memorandum to the Education Ministry.

According to Chong, despite the ministry’s statistics revealing sufficient Chinese language teachers in secondary schools, there is still a shortage.

The memorandum urged the ministry to look into the matter.

Education director-general Khair Muhamad Yusuf will be meeting the 157 teachers to learn about their problems.