Ongoing recruitment exercise to address teacher shortage in Sarawak, says Sagah

KUCHING: A special recruitment exercise will be conducted in Sarawak to address the shortage of teachers in the state, says Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.

The state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said Sarawak was expected to be short of 2,373 teachers by Dec 31 this year.

He said an ongoing recruitment drive by the Education Service Commission (SPP) and placement of new teachers by the Education Ministry between July and November were expected to reduce the shortage to 1,130 teachers.

To address the remaining shortage, Sagah said the Education Ministry and SPP had agreed to employ additional teachers under a special recruitment exercise for Sarawak.

“This special recruitment is open to all bachelor degree graduates, with or without a diploma in education.

“Successful candidates will receive a two-year contract and undergo a self-funded diploma in education at teacher education institutes during the holidays.

“Upon obtaining their diploma in education, they will be offered a permanent teaching position, subject to final screening by SPP,” he told a press conference at Sarawak Skills here on Wednesday (July 31).

Sagah said the special recruitment would prioritise candidates from areas where there were teacher vacancies.

He said this aimed to prevent the issue of teachers requesting transfers out of their assigned schools after appointment and placement.

“This means that if you are from Baram and you meet the criteria and pass the interview, you will be stationed at schools in Baram,” he said.

Sagah said all 30 education districts in Sarawak currently had teacher vacancies.

He said Serian, Daro, Kapit, Subis, Saratok and Betong had the most vacancies with over 100 each.

“The largest vacancies by subject are in English, Mathematics, Moral, Preschool, Bahasa Melayu and Remedial (Pemulihan).

“Additionally, there are vacancies in 22 other subject options, including those in SJKC (Chinese national-type primary schools),” he added.

Applications for the special recruitment will open online in August on the SPP website, followed by interviews in the second week of September.

The results will be announced in October or November, with placements targeted for November and December.

Sagah said his ministry and the state Education Department will hold roadshows statewide to promote the special recruitment.

“This initiative is a significant step towards addressing the teacher shortage in Sarawak.

“We look forward to seeing many qualified candidates coming forward to fill these essential positions in our schools,” he said.