Fadhlina confirms teacher shortage in vernacular schools, says it’s temporary

 

On Nov 14, education minister Fadhlina Sidek told the Dewan Rakyat there was a surplus of 540 Chinese language teachers and 308 Tamil language teachers. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has admitted to a shortage of teachers in public vernacular schools a day after she was slammed for claiming that there was a surplus.

In a statement, Fadhlina said there was a shortage of teachers in all public schools.

“We currently have a shortage of teachers in all schools, be it national schools or Chinese and Tamil primary schools, but this shortage is only temporary” she added.

She was responding to criticism from Chinese educationist groups Dong Zong and Jiao Zong (Dong Jiao Zong) over what they called a “ridiculous” claim on surplus teachers.

Malaysiakini reported that these two groups said Chinese primary schools were facing a shortage of 4,300 teachers, most of whom are Chinese language teachers.

Dong Jiao Zong also claimed that the ministry erred in gathering statistics regarding the teaching force at the schools.

In a written reply on Nov 14, Fadhlina told the Dewan Rakyat that as of Sept 29 there was a surplus of 540 Chinese language teachers for Chinese type schools, and there was a surplus of 308 Tamil language teachers for Tamil type schools.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the ministry was currently recruiting teachers via the Bachelor of Education Programme (PISMP).

“The recruitment of teachers through PISMP is conducted continuously to fill vacancies in all types of schools, involving all subject options, including Chinese and Tamil languages.” - FMT