The Malaysian Insight

TEACHERS serving in rural schools in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak could get extra points when their promotions are up for consideration, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said.

He said this during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today where several MPs discussed the high number of transfer applications by Sabah- and Sarawak-based teachers seeking to return to the peninsula.

The question was posted by Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang), who wanted to know the numbers and what steps the government proposed to encourage more local Sabah and Sarawak citizens to be teachers in their states.

Maszlee said, in Sarawak, 86% of primary school teachers were from the state, while the majority of primary school teachers in Sabah were also from the state.

Most applications for transfers from these two states were made by primary and secondary school teachers wanting to move to Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Perak, Johor and Selangor.

The policy to staff Sabah and Sarawak schools with 90% teachers from the two states and 10% teachers from the peninsula remains unchanged, he said.

“The government encourages more locals from the two states to be teachers, including taking them as interim teachers. We also encourage graduates from the local universities there to take on teaching.”

Teachers posted in the rural and interior schools enjoyed various incentives and special allowances for housing, cost of living and annual trips home, even if they were locals, he said.

Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif (BN-Jempol) then asked in a supplementary question about promotion opportunities for teachers posted to the interior.

“Promotions must be awarded based on their services, but the government may consider giving extra credit to those who have served in the interior or rural areas,” Maszlee said.

Among the government’s efforts to improve life for teachers and pupils in rural areas or the interior of Sabah and Sarawak are upgrading schools and quarters.

“The ministry thanks all teachers who are serving in the interior, being away from their families as they make sacrifices for education.

“They are the real superheroes.” – December 11, 2018.