KUCHING: The recruitment of non-education graduates as teachers will be subject to strict screening by the Education Service Commission (SPP), amid concerns over the placement of trained education graduates.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said recruitment policy is determined by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, while the Education Service Commission is responsible for the vetting process.
“The policy comes from the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The screening and selection are handled by the Education Service Commission,” he said when talking to reporters after the Sarawak flag-raising ceremony at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi here this morning.
He explained that priority remains for graduates from teacher training institutes.
“While there are also graduates from private universities who have completed relevant academic programmes without holding a Diploma in Education qualification, priority remains for graduates from the teacher training institutes.
“It is difficult to achieve 100 per cent staffing at all times because teachers retire or resign.
“Sometimes we do not have enough trained educators in certain subject areas, even though there are graduates with relevant degrees,” he said.
Sagah stressed that non-education graduates would not be automatically appointed.
“They will be screened by the SPP. This does not mean they will be directly absorbed into the system,” he said.
Additionally, he said if shortages persist after the selection process, discussions may be held to appoint suitable candidates on a Contract of Service basis.
“If there is still a shortage, we may consider those who have the capability to serve as contract teachers.
“During that period, they will be required to undergo Diploma in Education training,” he added.
He said the approach aims to address staffing gaps while ensuring teaching standards are maintained in schools.
