MOE ensures 96.51% teacher positions filled, with 10,096 new placements in November to address critical subject shortages nationwide.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring sufficient teacher placement nationwide to maintain optimal teaching and learning sessions.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh revealed that as of August 31, 96.51% of the 431,128 approved teaching positions have been filled, involving 416,096 teachers.
He announced that the ministry will place 10,096 new teachers in November to address shortages, particularly in critical subjects.
“The three states with the highest placement rates are the Federal Territory of Putrajaya at 100%, followed by Sabah at 98% and the Federal Territory of Labuan at 97.7%,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Johor, Pahang, Sarawak, and Penang each recorded placement rates below 96%, according to the deputy minister.
Wong said strategic measures have been implemented to overcome teacher shortages in critical subjects including Bahasa Melayu, English, and special education.
“One of the measures included placing 10,045 new teachers by September 22, which will increase the total number of new teachers this year to 20,141 with the November intake,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session.
He was responding to Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam), who inquired about teacher vacancies by state and subject, pending applications, and measures to expedite new teacher placements.
The ministry is also ramping up recruitment through the Education Service Commission, including contract appointments for graduates of public and private universities.
A special committee has been established with the Ministry of Higher Education to address teacher shortages comprehensively.
To strengthen long-term solutions, Wong said the ministry has increased the Bachelor of Teaching Degree programme intake to more than 11,000 candidates this year from 6,000 last year.
This expansion aims to ensure a steady pipeline of teachers for the next five years, according to the deputy minister.
“The PISMP intake involves candidates from the Malaysian Higher School Certificate, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia and matriculation programmes,” he added. – Bernama
