SIBU: Sarawak has urged the Education Service Commission (SPP) to honour its commitment to reserve the 2,180 vacancies under a teacher's recruitment programme for the state exclusively for Sarawakians.
Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said that he had reached out to SPP, emphasising that the Special Sarawak Recruitment initiative should focus solely on giving Sarawakians the chance to teach in their state.
"However, it appears they (SPP) will begin interviewing candidates from other regions of the country between Oct 8 and 10. We hope they will stick to the initial agreement that this recruitment is reserved for Sarawakians,” Sagah told a press conference on Monday (Oct 7).
“If they intend to recruit candidates from outside Sarawak, it should be done at a later time. Sarawakians should be given priority for these positions," he stressed.
Voicing his dissatisfaction, Sagah explained that the recruitment initiative was designed to address the state's critical shortage of primary and secondary school teachers, particularly in key subjects like Mathematics and Islamic Education.
"I am personally very disappointed because this initiative was meant to be solely for Sarawakians. But now, they are saying they will interview candidates from other parts of Malaysia.
"Of course, the authority rests with the SPP, and they have the power to make the decision.
"We don’t have control over it, but I feel like they are not keeping their promise," he added.
When the application process opened last month, over 15,000 Sarawakian applicants applied, along with another 2,000 from other states, Sagah revealed.
He also mentioned that 2,000 candidates would be shortlisted for a second round of interviews, to be conducted in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri.
This would be to fill the first 1,733 positions.
Previously, Sagah announced that the number of positions for the recruitment initiative was bumped up from 1,140 to 2,180 following a meeting between his ministry and the SPP on Sept 19.
Successful candidates will be offered a two-year contract but will be required to complete self-funded diploma programs at the Malaysian Teacher Education Institute (IPGM) through the Holiday Course Program (KDC).
Upon successful completion, they may be considered for permanent teaching positions, subject to final approval by the SPP.
