Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has come under fire from various parties after claiming that there is a surplus of teachers for the Chinese and Tamil language subjects.
“We are shocked and find the statement ridiculous,” said the Chinese educationist groups Dong Zong and Jiao Zong in a joint statement today.
“It not only lacks professionalism but is also irresponsible, likely exacerbating the shortage of teachers in Chinese primary schools.”
According to them, Chinese primary schools are facing a shortage of 4,300 teachers, most of whom are Chinese language teachers.
They added that the Education Ministry’s Institute of Teacher Education is only training 252 Chinese language teachers from 2024 to 2028.
“Is the ministry training enough new teachers to fill in the vacancies including the vacancies for Chinese subject teachers?” they asked.
Dong Jiao Zong claimed the ministry has erred in gathering statistics regarding the teaching force at the schools.
“In calculating the demand for primary school teachers, the ministry categorises the teachers and counts Chinese language teachers as only teaching the Chinese subject.
“Teachers teaching other subjects such as mathematics, science, history, sports, arts, et cetera, are likewise classified under the respective subjects.”
In practice, however, Dong Jiao Zong said Chinese primary school teachers are assigned to teach multiple subjects with Chinese as the language of instruction, and not just the Chinese language itself.
As such, the statistics that Fadhlina provided in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday do not reflect the actual demand for teachers at Chinese primary schools.
‘No demand for new teachers’
In response to a question by Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, Fadhlina had written that the Education Ministry anticipates a surplus of Chinese and Tamil subject teachers at vernacular primary schools from 2024 to 2029, hence there is no need to train additional teachers for these subjects.
She said that as of Sept 29 this year, Chinese primary schools needed 6,319 teachers for the Chinese subject, but a total of 6,859 positions have been filled. This means an excess of 540 teachers.
For the Tamil subject at Tamil schools, she said there is an excess of 308 teachers on top of the 1,433 teachers needed.
“After considering all elements in projecting demand for teachers from 2024 to 2029, it is found there is no need for new teachers for the Chinese and Tamil language options because there is a surplus for these options.
“However, we will review the projections from time to time,” she said.
Criticism from both sides
Fadhlina’s statement has drawn criticism from politicians from both sides of the political divide, namely MCA president Wee Ka Siong, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong, and DAP’s Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun.
“I advise her to visit Chinese primary schools for inspection so that she can gain a thorough understanding of the weekly teaching hours for lower and upper grades, as well as all subjects taught in Chinese primary schools.
“At the same time, the minister must also understand that except for Malay and English language classes, subjects such as mathematics, science, arts, moral education, and music are all taught using the Chinese language as the medium of instruction,” he said.
“According to regulations, Malay and English language subjects for Standard 1 and 2 must be taught by teachers who are also proficient in Chinese,” said Wee, who is also the Ayer Hitam MP.
In a bit to allay concerns, Fadhlina’s deputy Lim Hui Ying said the ministry will review the projections on the demand for Chinese language subject teachers.
“I will further discuss with the minister to ensure that the Education Ministry continues to train Chinese and Tamil language teachers annually.
“I acknowledge the concerns of the Chinese community, Dong Jiao Zong, and the Indian community,” she said at a press conference at the parliament lobby.
Lim, who is from DAP, admitted that the statistical formula used by the ministry fails to reflect the actual situation, which has led to inaccuracies in the ministry’s data and admission quotas at the Institute of Teacher Education.
She said she has contacted Fadhlina, who is currently overseas, and they will meet to discuss the matter when Fadhlina returns. - Mkini
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