KUCHING: A total of 1,434 newly trained teachers were officially posted statewide on November 17, significantly reducing the shortage of educators in Sarawak’s schools.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the new recruits, all graduates from teachers’ training institutes, would help narrow existing gaps left by temporary contract teachers and those who failed to report for duty.
“We are hoping for new teachers to come in, and I was informed that this November, on the 17th, it’s already posted with a total of 1,434 teachers,” he said.
He said this during a press conference on the 2025 Sarawak Year Six Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UP-DLPS 6) results at LCDA Tower, The Isthmus here today.
He also said that the seven teachers who resigned were untrained contract appointees recruited under the earlier special intake, while another 51 candidates from the same exercise failed to report for duty.
“They are not trained teachers. They are contracted. The 51 who did not report for duty are also under the same contract of service. But maybe for a reason best known to themselves, they did not report for duty,” he said.
Despite this, Sagah assured that schools still have enough manpower to manage students effectively.
“Our schools have enough teachers in the sense that they are able to take up with the students and all this. But of course, we are hoping for new teachers to come in,” he said.
He stressed the importance of having qualified educators rather than filling vacancies with unsuitable personnel.
“If the person doesn’t know how to teach Math, how do you ask them to teach Math? Must be relevant people,” he said, adding that the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS) continues to closely monitor staffing needs.
Sagah praised the state’s Education Director for proactive oversight.
“If there are any shortages, we will find ways to get it filled with the correct people. Not just anybody,” he said.
As of November 2025, Sarawak has received a total of 1,219 teachers through the Sarawak Special Teacher Intake initiative.
Out of this number, 957 were placed in primary schools and 262 in secondary schools.
