DTTG wants IPG Rajang to remain, and be upgraded

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Rajang Campus has produced many trained teachers for the state.

Wellie Henry Majang

MIRI: Dayak Think Tank Group (DTTG) yesterday expressed their disagreement on the move by the Ministry of Education to close down the Teacher Training Institute (IPG) Rajang Campus in Bintangor.

IPG Rajang is the only campus in Malaysia that offers degree in Iban Language which was introduced in January 2013.

DTTG founder, Wellie Henry Majang, said the move to close down the IPG will only derail efforts by the government to train more teachers in the Iban Language, to be stationed at schools throughout the state.

In fact, he added, the campus which started operation in 1967 is an icon for Bintangor and has produced many trained teachers who serve not only in Sarawak schools, but also in schools in Sabah and the Peninsula.

He said the campus is very much needed as its location is strategic and the facilities are complete with skilled staff and trainers.

“In view of that, DTTG would like to urge the ministry and the relevant department not to close down IPG Rajang but to keep the institute open and upgrade all of its facilities.

“This is in line with the effort to produce more trained teachers from among Sarawakians,” said Willie in a press statement yesterday.

“We still want a 9:1 teacher ratio in Sarawak, because we lack local teachers in rural schools, and if IPG Rajang’s function is changed, it will affect this state government’s objective,” he stressed, referring to the state government’s desire to see Sarawakians comprising 90 per cent of teachers in the state.

“If it is closed, the number of trained local teachers will be reduced, and those who are trained might also need to serve outside Sarawak,” he added.

DTTG is calling for the local member of parliament to bring up the proposal (opposing the closing of IPG Rajang) at the next parliament sitting, so that the newly formed Pakatan Harapan (PH) government can know about the problem faced by IPG Rajang.

IPG Rajang is one of the nine out of 27 campuses nationwide to be closed down, including IPG Miri.

The move to close down the campus is also opposed by the state government.

There is a possibility that IPG Miri Campus will be turned into a technical and vocational educational training (TVET) institute to support the growth of industries.

Irrespective of the decision to be made, DTTG is hoping that both IPGs be retained and improved with modules that will further enhance their status.