SARARAWKIANS have every reason to feel deeply disappointed and frustrated after the federal authorities backtracked on the special teacher recruitment programme, which was specifically designed to address the state’s shortage of primary and secondary school teachers by recruiting local Sarawakians.
This initiative, which was supposed to be a step forward in addressing one of the state’s most pressing issues, has now been opened to non-Sarawakian applicants from Malaya, dashing hopes that local candidates would be prioritised.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn voiced his own dissatisfaction with this sudden shift. We can’t blame him for making known his disappointment.
The disappointment is not only his; qualified local candidates are also unhappy as they had anticipated that the recruitment drive would offer them a fair chance to serve their own communities.
The initiative was supposed to address both the shortage of teachers in the state and provide much-needed employment opportunities for local graduates. Instead, we now face a situation where Putrajaya’s promises are being watered down, leaving Sarawakians feeling overlooked and marginalised.
Sagah’s disappointment is well-founded. He rightly questioned why, after Putrajaya had agreed to a recruitment initiative aimed at local candidates, the door is now being opened to non-Sarawakians.
This is not what was promised. When the special recruitment initiative was announced, it was made clear that it was meant for Sarawakians, to ensure that teaching positions in the state would be filled by those familiar with local customs, cultures, and languages.
This would not only improve communication between teachers and students but also ensure that educators are deeply rooted in the communities they serve.
Now, with the inclusion of candidates from Malaya, Sarawakians are left questioning the sincerity of Putrajaya’s intentions. The initiative attracted over 15,000 applications, with only 2,000 shortlisted for face-to-face interviews in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri.
Of these applicants, it has been revealed that around 300 non-Sarawakians were included, raising concerns about how many actual local candidates will be offered positions.
This is a betrayal of the original intent of the programme and a disservice to local Sarawakians who had placed their hopes in this recruitment exercise.
Our chronic teacher shortage has long been a thorn in the side of the state’s education system. For years, rural sch
ools have struggled with a lack of teachers, leading to larger class sizes and compromised educational quality.
In some areas, students have to travel long distances to attend schools with full teaching staff. The recruitment initiative was seen as a significant step towards resolving the crisis by ensuring that local teachers, particularly those from rural areas, could fill the gap.
Local teachers, particularly those familiar with Sarawak’s diverse cultural and linguistic landscape, are better equipped to meet the needs of our students. They understand the local dialects, the customs, and the challenges that rural schools face.
Non-Sarawakian teachers, while qualified, may not be as well-prepared to navigate these complexities, which could lead to further disconnects between educators and their students. The inclusion of non-Sarawakian candidates dilutes the effectiveness of this initiative and runs counter to its original intent.
The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) has been vocal in its stance that teaching positions in the state should be reserved for Sarawakians.
Their argument is simple: there are many qualified Sarawakian graduates who are eager to take up these teaching roles. So why are they being passed over in favour of candidates from Malaya?
The union raised a valid point in its statement, questioning why Sarawakian candidates are often overlooked. It is asking if the qualifications of Sarawakians are lower than those from Malaya, echoing the frustrations of many local parents whose children have been unemployed for extended periods, despite holding teaching qualifications.
Sarawakian candidates are just as qualified as their Malayan counterparts. They deserve the chance to serve their state, especially when the initiative was meant for them in the first place.
KGBS also warned of the potential challenges that could arise from recruiting non-Sarawakians. In the past, many teachers from Malaya who were assigned to Sarawak requested transfers back to their home states, further exacerbating the teacher shortage in Sarawak.
This is a recurring issue, and opening the recruitment to non-Sarawakians risks repeating the same mistakes. Local teachers, on the other hand, are more likely to remain in the state and build long-term careers, ensuring stability in the education system.
The ongoing disappointment with Putrajaya’s handling of the recruitment initiative has once again brought the issue of Sarawak’s autonomy into the spotlight.
Sarawakians have long called for greater control over the state’s education system, arguing that local authorities are better positioned to address the unique challenges the state faces.
Sagah and other local leaders have repeatedly urged Putrajaya to grant Sarawak the autonomy to manage its own education affairs, including teacher recruitment. Sarawak knows best what its schools and communities need.
The data on teacher shortages, dilapidated schools, and other educational issues are well-documented by the Sarawak Education Department and the District Education Offices (PPD).
With greater autonomy, Sarawak would be able to directly address these issues without having to rely on federal authorities who may not fully understand or prioritise the state’s needs.
This latest disappointment only strengthens the case for autonomy. If Sarawak had the power to manage its own teacher recruitment, local candidates would undoubtedly be prioritised, and initiatives like the special teacher recruitment would remain true to their purpose.
It is time for Putrajaya to recognise that Sarawak deserves the right to manage its own education system, free from federal interference.
At its core, this issue is about fairness and keeping promises. Putrajaya made a commitment to Sarawak, and now it is backing out of that commitment by opening the recruitment process to non-Sarawakians.
This is not just a matter of employment opportunities; it is about ensuring that Sarawak’s education system is staffed by individuals who understand and are invested in the state’s future.
Federal leaders need to honour its promises and show that it values Sarawak’s unique needs and challenges. This means prioritising local candidates for teaching positions and ensuring that initiatives like the special recruitment programme stay true to their original purpose.
Sarawak has the talent and the will to resolve its own issues, but it requires the federal government’s cooperation and respect for its autonomy. We are proud of our state, and we are ready to contribute to its development.
It is time for Kuala Lumpur to step aside and let Sarawak handle its own affairs, starting with the recruitment of its own teachers.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, meanwhile, is delegating Sagah’s ministry to negotiate with Putrajaya over its U-turn.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
