KUCHING: Over 90 per cent of teaching positions in Sarawak have been filled, says Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said that while the state is close to achieving full staffing, reaching a perfect 100 per cent remains a challenge due to retirements and transfers among educators.
“Currently, teacher placement in Sarawak exceeds 90 per cent but reaching 100 per cent is very difficult because teachers may retire or be transferred at any time, just like other civil servants,” he said when met at the sidelines during the I-CATS Segulai Sejalai Gawai 2025 celebration here today.
Sagah said the ministry’s primary focus is not just hitting a numerical target, but ensuring that essential teaching positions, particularly in critical subjects, are adequately staffed, especially in rural areas.
“Rather than aiming for a perfect figure, our priority is to make sure we have enough teachers for critical subjects that rural students need.
“At the moment, we can say the situation is manageable,” he added.
On a separate issue, Sagah remained tight-lipped when asked to comment on the recent decision by the Education Ministry (MOE) to restrict automatic admission into the matriculation programme to only Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) students who scores straight As.
“That is under MOE’s jurisdiction. I won’t comment on their decisions, it’s their responsibility,” he said.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek recently announced that the policy shift aims to uphold meritocracy, prioritising high-achieving students, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
