KUCHING: The Sarawak Education Ministry is going on a special drive to recruit teachers due to an acute shortage in the state.

Graduates with bachelors degrees, even in non-related fields, but are passionate about education and are areas that suffer from an acute teacher shortage, will be given special preference in the new recruitment initiative.

The prospective candidates must, however, be under 45 years old.

Those who pass the initial screening will be given a two-year contract but they have to undergo a self-funded Diploma in Education course via the Kursus Dalam Cuti (holiday course) at a teachers' training institute.

Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah said, upon obtaining their diploma, they will then be offered a permanent teaching position, subject to the final screening by the Education Service Commission.

He said, to prevent the issue of teachers requesting for transfers out of their assigned schools after appointment and placement, the special recruitment drive prioritises candidates from the areas where vacancies are available.

"This means that if (they) are from Baram, (they) meet the criteria and pass the interview, (they) will be stationed at schools in Baram.

"Candidates from local areas are encouraged to apply as placements will be prioritised in their home town or division."

Sagah said the special recruitment drive was the result of a meeting on July 26 between officials from his ministry and the deputy secretary-general (management) of the federal Education Ministry.

"The Sarawak government has consistently requested the federal government to address the teacher shortage in our state."

Sarawak's concern, said Sagah, is that if nothing is done to address the shortage, the number of vacancies by the end of the year could be around 2,373.

However, he said the ongoing recruitment drive and placement of new teachers by the federal ministry between July and November could plug the hole and see the shortage shrink to 1,130.

Sagah pointed out all of the state's 30 district education offices "have some vacancies", with the top six being Serian, Daro, Kapit, Subis, Saratok and Betong, each with over 100 vacancies.

The largest vacancies are in English, mathematics, moral, preschool, Bahasa Melayu, and remedial subjects.

Additionally, there are vacancies in 22 other subject options, including those in Chinese national schools.

Those interested in applying must submit their applications online via MySPP which will be available "early next month".

The commission will screen the applications and qualified candidates will proceed to the Ujian Kelayakan Calon Guru (UKCG) - an assessment test which assesses the candidates' character, personality, interest, suitability, psychological, and mental health.

Face-to-face interviews will be conducted in the second week of September and the result of the assessment will be announced in either October or November 2024, with placements targeted in the same months.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1084448/moe-new-special-drive-recruit-1100-teachers-overcome-acute-shortage