LUNDU: The Sarawak government wants the special teacher recruitment drive for Sarawak to prioritise applicants who are from the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initial understanding was to recruit more Sarawakians, but the agreement was not fulfilled.
“The Education Service Commission (SPP) has made an agreement, ensuring the Minister (Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister) that the new recruitment of trainee teachers will be from Sarawak.
“But, suddenly, they (SPP) changed their mind and opened it up for Peninsular Malaysian candidates as well.
“It is not that we are against teachers from Peninsular Malaysia, but we want to prioritise local teachers to reduce transfer requests.
“This is because sometimes when non-Sarawakians serve in Sarawak, after a short period, they would then request for transfer back to their home states. If they are Sarawakians, they won’t ask for transfers outside the state, instead they will request to move within Sarawak.”
He said this during a press conference after launching the Aerospace Academy located at the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Lundu on today (Oct 8).
Abang Johari said he would leave the matter for further negotiations between the Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn and the SPP.
Meanwhile, Sagah said under the special teacher recruitment drive, about 15,000 Sarawakians had applied for the teaching position, while around 2,000 applicants were from outside the state.
“They should see that there are so many Sarawakians and should just accept them. However, they are considering giving positions to non-Sarawakians, which I am not happy about.
“This is because we had already arranged for this special recruitment exercise for Sarawakians, and it was agreed upon,” he said.
