KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) has welcomed the announcement that interim English teachers appointed on April 29, 2019, and whose terms expire on April 21 this year will be appointed to permanent positions if they meet the set conditions.
Its president Adam Prakash Abdullah said many teachers who were not being called for an interview by the Education Service Commission (SPP) previously were very unhappy and frustrated.
“The announcement is timely and a wise move to overcome the shortage of educators in teaching English. These teachers have also obtained Diploma in Education, they are good to go to school and teach English language,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
“This is expected to address the teacher shortage issue in Sarawak, especially rural schools,” he said.
“Many of our English teachers in rural areas are actually not trained to teach English… but we don’t have enough teachers, so some (trained in other subjects) have been assigned to teach English as well,” he explained.
Adam was commenting on Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin’s announcement last week that interim English teachers appointed on April 29, 2019, will be appointed as an Education Services Officer (PPP) Grade DG41 by the Education Services Commission (SPP).
Radzi said the teachers would need to meet the required proficiency level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), namely CEFR C1, besides passing the interview.
However, for teachers who do not meet the requirements of CEFR C1, Radzi said SPP would also interview them for the purpose of permanent appointment as a Grade DG41 PPP but they would need to reach the CEFR C1 proficiency level during a probationary period, which is within one to three years, for confirmation in service.
Adam said it was important to improve the competency of English teachers to have an impact on teaching and learning in the classroom.
“The one to three years’ period to achieve that qualification (CEFR C1 proficiency level) is a reasonable timeframe and I believe most teachers do it.”
“This is also directly increases the level of students’ mastery in English,” he said.
Last year, it was reported that Sarawak faced a shortage of 3,385 teachers, – 1,545 in secondary schools and 1,840 in primary schools, including English teachers in the rural areas.
