Dr Chou Chii Ming
Acceptance of these graduates into teachers’ training scheme will solve teachers shortage
KUCHING: Education Ministry has been asked to be broad-minded and accept Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) graduates into its teachers’ training scheme to ensure adequate supply of teachers to teach Chinese language.
“My resolution, therefore, is to see the Education Ministry more considerate of UEC to solve the shortage of teachers. There are many UEC graduates out there who will make capable and dedicated teachers,” chairman of Management Committee of Kuching Chung Hua Primary Schools No.1 to 6 Dr Chouauthorities concerned take pre-emptive measures to solve the shortage of teachers nation wide.
“As far as Chinese teacher shortage problem is concerned, it is no fresh issue. All this while, Education Ministry says it will look into the problem, which still prevails although some initiatives have been made.
“What the Chinese community here wants is that the ministry solve the problem once and for all instead of indulging in halfhearted efforts,” Chou said to The Borneo Post here yesterday.
He said his fear is thatunderstand that many teachers retire every year and therefore the training scheme must go on in order to have the adequate number of teachers to teach Chinese.
“Of utmost importance, the ministry should have aHe urged the government to recognise UEC so that more teachers could be groomed to teach Chinese language in both government and government-aided schools.
Chou also pointed out that Education Ministry should not impose conditions of Chinese primary schools so much so that these schoolsrestrictions that are hampering the development of these schools.
Citing as an example, he said it is unfair to have boards of management of Chinese primary schools to meet 80 per cent of the fund prior to the approval ofto the Chinese community, is very unreasonable.
“For instance, if a new school block costs RM3 million, we need to raise RM2.4 million first before seeking approval from the education Ministry,” he said.
Chou who is also the president of the Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations, hoped that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government would work hard to make every community feel it is a part of mainstream development.
He said the ruling government must recognise that the outcome of the March 8, 2008 parliamentary election shows that they are people who are unhappy with certain policies.