Relax criteria of hiring temporary teachers in rural area for SPM or STPM holders, says Ong Chiow Chuen

Sin Chew Daily, 17 June

(Kuala Lumpur 16 June) Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers’ Associations of Malaysia) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen hopes Education Ministry can relax criteria for applicants of temporary teachers in rural area for those with Chinese qualification of SPM or STPM holders to fill in vacancies of temporary teachers.

He said this in a press conference after concluding a round table meeting with Deputy Education Minister Mary Yap. As university graduates with Chinese qualification are few in number in rural area, he hopes that the Education Ministry can relax criteria on hiring temporary teachers.

1,582 teacher trainees of Chinese category start practical training in advance

He said the Education Ministry issues a total of 374 appointment letters for temporary teachers. There are still 184 vacancies. He urges graduates with Chinese qualification who are keen to be teachers to approach schools for inquiries.

Ong said up till 1 June, there are estimated of 625 vacancies of Chinese primary school teachers as teachers retire and some other reasons. In order to fill in the vacancies in Chinese primary schools, 1,582 trainees from Chinese category of teachers’ training college who are due to graduate next year would be sent to schools earlier as practical training.

He said the 625 vacancies are from West Malaysia. Vacancies in East Malaysia and vacancies of Chinese primary school headmasters and senior assistants are not included.

Ong also said the Education Ministry is only willing to pay temporary teachers starting from 2 May. Many schools have hired temporary teachers through board of directors and parent teacher associations before the ministry issued appointment letters. The salaries of these temporary teachers have been paid. He hoped Education Ministry can pay the salary starting from January this year.

He said the reply from Education Ministry stated that the Finance Ministry approved the allocation starting from 2 May under special allocation for Education Ministry.

“We request the salary to start from January. We see hiring of temporary teachers as responsibilities of Education Ministry and the government. We feel sorry on this.”

National Union of Malaysia Headmasters president Zeng Qing An reminded all Chinese primary schools that after receiving the special allocation from the government, they are required to submit the progress report to answer usage of allocation.

“Those schools which do not submit report would be not be considered for next allocation.”

Original Source: 鄉區聘臨教應放寬‧王超群：讓SPM或STPM生申請