Jisin Nyud
SIBU: Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) lauds Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s announcement that temporary teachers can continue teaching provided they pass a second interview.
Its president Jisin Nyud said the announcement had given the affected teachers a lifeline as many of them had financial and family commitments to take care of.
“Indeed, this is what these teachers are waiting for. Most of them have contacted us to express their worries on how they can deal with their bills and loans especially those with families,” Jisin said when contacted Wednesday.
He said the news about these teachers being terminated was something that gave a bitter experience to the affected persons.
“Worse still, it affects one’s life especially when it is their occupation or the source of income. In fact, STU feels very sorry with those who are affected.
“If possible, STU wants these temporary teachers to be sent for up-skilling or upgrading should they fail to meet the requirement needed to become teachers,” suggested Jisin.
He was responding to Abang Johari’s statement which gave an assurance to the 209 temporary teachers whose services were slated for termination on Mar 15.
In a statement on Tuesday, Abang Johari said the services of these teachers would not be terminated next month.
However, they were ‘required to attend another normal interview exercise and only those qualified will be selected to fill the posts’.
Jisin said even though STU agreed with the appointment and interviews done by the Education Service Commission (SPP) to appoint qualified teachers, their (teachers) contribution and performance in school also had to be considered.
On the recent interview, he said the psychometric test was one of the reasons why these teachers failed.
As such, STU wanted SPP not to put too much emphasis on psychometric test as it might not be the perfect way to test a person’s capability to become a good teacher.
“Not only that, in the end only a few are qualified,” he added.
He said another factor to consider is their (teachers) passion as teachers.
It has been proven that through motivation, guidance and upgrading, teachers’ performance can improve.
“We can just look around. In any field people improve or grow due to their experience and willingness to learn. Besides interview
and psychometric test, STU suggests that recommendations from the headmasters and principals be taken into account as they know their performance in school over a period of time,” Jisin said.
He added that STU agreed with the long term planning by the state and state Education director on the recruitment and training as proposed earlier.
“STU hopes the issue of teachers shortage can be resolved immediately by the ministry as Sarawak is in need of more teachers. How can we expect students to excel academically when we still face the issue of schools without teachers for months? Definitely, Sarawak still needs more teachers.”
Meanwhile, temporary teachers affected by the termination order have been given a second chance to go for another interview while continuing their service in schools.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, who announced this on Tuesday, said the ministry would hold a second interview, likely to be held in June.