M'sian Teachers Urge MOE To Reintroduce Relief Teacher Positions Due To Staff Shortage
The teacher shortage was found due to the addition of new schools, the increase of pupils, and compulsory retirements.
By Deborah Chan — 02 Feb 2023, 05:21 PM
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has requested the Ministry of Education (MOE) to reintroduce relief teacher positions to cover the shortage of teachers, especially in Sabah and Sarawak
According to Bernama, NUTP secretary general Fouzi Singon said that based on a study carried out by the council, the teacher shortage was due to the addition of new schools as well as the increase of pupils and classes.
Retirements that were early, compulsory, or due to health factors also played a part in the shortage.
A relief staff is someone an employer hires to replace an employee during their short-term absence such as, but not limited to, vacation or sick leave.
The secretary general said that it's been a long time since the government had a relief teacher programme
Fouzi was featured as a guest on Bernama TV's Malaysia Petang Ini programme last Tuesday, 31 January, where he said, "Previously, it (the relief positions) was offered for a period of about one to two years, to suitable candidates who had finished their university, diploma level studies, and the Malaysian High School Certificate (STPM). This managed to cover the vacancies that existed."
However, the programme was discontinued even though the demand remained unwavering. He hoped that the MOE would consider appointing relief teachers for the time being.
Fouzi said the shortage of teachers in Sabah and Sarawak was also due to the policy that only 10% of the teaching staff there could be from Peninsular Malaysia
Therefore, he also hoped that the respective state governments would be willing to open a bigger quota for education graduates to fill up the current needs.
