KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) is insisting that teaching positions in the state be prioritised for local Sarawakians to address the ongoing shortage of teachers.
Expressing frustration, the union highlighted that many teaching posts in Sarawak have been filled by individuals from outside the state, despite qualified locals being available.
“Teaching positions should be offered to Sarawakians, and they should be placed in their hometowns or nearby areas to avoid communication and socio-cultural challenges,” KGBS said in a press statement yesterday (Oct 7).
The union’s sentiments align with the Sarawak government’s stance, as they called on the Education Service Commission (SPP) to prioritise local candidates for teaching posts, addressing the growing concern over teacher shortages in the state.
“We understand the frustration of parents whose children have been unemployed for a long time, despite being qualified for teaching roles. It’s difficult to understand why they are overlooked.
“Are their qualifications inferior to those from the peninsula?” the statement questioned.
KGBS added that there is no valid reason for SPP to reject Sarawakian candidates, stressing that their qualifications are on par with those from the peninsula.
“They simply need to be provided with courses related to critical options while waiting for school placements,” the union stated.
The union also said the term ‘special recruitment of Sarawak teachers’ should explicitly focus on Sarawakian citizens.
“Open recruitment risks exacerbating issues such as teachers not reporting for duty or requesting transfers to their home states.
“These challenges will only prolong the teacher shortage in Sarawak,” KGBS warned.
The union further urged the state government to persist in pushing for autonomy in managing Sarawak’s education system.
“We know best the shortcomings of our educational institutions, teacher shortages, dilapidated schools, and various other school-related issues.
“These data are with the District Education Office (PPD) and the Sarawak State Education Department. It would be easier for us to address these issues directly if we had autonomy,” the union said.
