Shortage of teachers for 6 core subjects including BM, English

The education ministry has identified six core subjects for which additional teachers are required at schools, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying said the subjects were Bahasa Melayu, English, Islamic studies, design and technology, visual arts education and history.

"We are aware that there is a shortage of teachers. As I said earlier, the ministry has implemented the recruitment of 22,327 teachers through the one-off and subject cluster methods from 2021 to January 2023.

"However, we have plans to recruit teachers from April to June this year. We will recruit teachers from outside universities," she said in response to a question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik).

Lim said the recruitment of teachers would depend on the vacancies and current needs of subject options.

To a supplementary question from Vivian Wong Shir Yee (PH-Sandakan) on graduates who failed the Education Service Commission (SPP) interview, Lim said they could reapply through mySPP six months after the results are posted on the official SPP portal.

She added that unsuccessful candidates can continue applying until they reach the age of 45.