Over 200 teachers failed to report or rejected Sarawak placements, says education ministry

A total of 222 of the 3,227 one-off, specially recruited teachers given placements in Sarawak had failed to report or rejected the offer as of Sept 30 last year, the education ministry says.

The ministry, in response to an oral question on the Parliament website, said the 3,227 one-off teachers included 2,621 permanent teachers and 606 others appointed on a contract basis for placement in Sarawak.

"The recruitment of teachers will be carried out continuously depending on vacancies available and the need for subject choices," it said.

It was responding to a question from Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan) on the the number of one-off and contract teachers who did not report for work or had rejected the offer to teach in Sarawak, and the steps taken by the education ministry to fill the vacancies.

According to the ministry, Sarawak-born teachers are given priority for placement in the state based on the vacancies available and subject options requirements.

For the professional development of new teachers, the ministry said it had implemented the New Teacher Development Programme to enable them to adapt to the school environment, culture and community.

"New teachers also receive continuous guidance from mentor teachers to improve their professional competence, especially skills and expertise to ensure that learning and teaching can be delivered more effectively," the ministry said.