logo
MOE and SPP reforms solve teacher shortage in Malaysia

MOE and SPP reforms solve teacher shortage in Malaysia

The Sun03-07-2025
BANGI: Reforms in teacher recruitment by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Education Services Commission (SPP) have effectively resolved Malaysia's teacher shortage.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek highlighted that the changes not only increased teacher numbers but also improved the quality and suitability of educators placed in schools.
'For the first time in the government's history, we, together with the SPP, have implemented reforms to ensure that there are no longer any issues related to teacher shortages in Malaysia,' she said during the 15th convocation of Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG).
Fadhlina added that the reforms included multiple mechanisms to ensure qualified teachers meet student needs. She also introduced the Future of Malaysian Education 2026-2036 plan, which will shift focus towards values-based education, character development, and student personality growth.
The new curriculum will require active participation from both new and experienced teachers, particularly IPG graduates, who will play a key role as mentors.
'A good classroom is not created through rules. A good classroom is created through relationships, expectations and appreciation,' she said. - BERNAMA
The minister stressed that teacher well-being remains a priority, with measures in place to support mental health and reduce workloads. The Future of Malaysian Education plan aims to reshape the national education system for the next decade, replacing the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Harsh vaping penalties for teachers: A balanced approach needed
Harsh vaping penalties for teachers: A balanced approach needed

Focus Malaysia

time2 days ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Harsh vaping penalties for teachers: A balanced approach needed

EDUCATION Minister Fadhlina Sidek recently announced a proposal to impose fines of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years for teachers caught vaping or smoking on school grounds, which is in line with the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024. While MCA fully supports the principle that teachers must serve as role models for Malaysian children and youth, such measures must not overlook the broader context of teacher welfare and the many other pressing issues within our education system that demand urgent attention. Maintaining discipline in schools is important. However, imposing heavy fines and imprisonment as the implied first and only option for vaping offences among already overburdened and under-rewarded teachers appears disproportionate. In some cases, vaping may be an unhealthy coping mechanism for stress rather than a deliberate act of defiance against professional standards. According to April 2024 data from the Khazanah Research Institute, Malaysian graduates in education are earning significantly less than they did a decade ago. Nearly three-quarters of education graduates earn below RM2,000, with only a small fraction exceeding RM3,000. With the rising cost of living, economic hardship, and the daily demands of teaching, teachers are under immense strain and may seek other ways to cope with stress. In the Dewan Rakyat in 2023, deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reported that 6,394 teachers went on early retirement—an increase from the previous year where 5,306 left the profession. Moreover, according to the Education Ministry in a Parliamentary written reply on June 26 last year, the majority of teachers left early because they were uninterested in their roles. Other factors were family, health, job duties and personal reasons. These exoduses indicate that more must be done to improve the welfare of teachers to propel them to remain in the teaching profession. Making criminals out of teachers simply for vaping are counter-productive to boosting teacher morale. At the same time, schools face far more serious challenges—such as teacher shortage, bullying, sexual predation, molestation, and many others—that present a far greater threat to student wellbeing than a teacher vaping on school grounds. These critical issues require urgent, sustained attention and resources from the Education Ministry, yet they often remain under-addressed. A more balanced approach is needed. MCA advocates for disciplinary measures that include counselling, mandatory training, or suspension before considering custodial sentences. Equally, the government should invest more in supporting teachers' mental health, raising remuneration, and improving working conditions to reduce the underlying pressures that may contribute to such behaviour. To truly uphold the no-vaping policy in schools, enforcement must be fair, proportionate, and part of a broader strategy that safeguards both student welfare and the wellbeing of our educators. ‒ Aug 14, 2025 Felicia Wong Yin Ting is the MCA education consultative committee deputy chairperson. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: 2Firsts

Sabah Bersatu demands zero tolerance on bullying and urgent education reform
Sabah Bersatu demands zero tolerance on bullying and urgent education reform

Borneo Post

time3 days ago

  • Borneo Post

Sabah Bersatu demands zero tolerance on bullying and urgent education reform

Syafiqah KOTA KINABALU (Aug 13): 'Parents send their children to school to gain knowledge and learn self-discipline, not to get bullied, physically and mentally tortured, or worse—lose their lives,' declared Dayang Nor Syafiqah binti Abdul Hamid, Bersatu Sipitang Srikandi chief, in a powerful call to action on Wednesday. She was responding to the national outrage over the tragic death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, which has exposed deep, systemic failures in safeguarding students—especially in boarding schools. 'No parent should ever have to bury their child and be left wondering if more could have been done to protect them. This is not an isolated incident— it is the result of a broken system that has failed to prioritise children's safety,' Syafiqah said. She added that she was deeply outraged and saddened that the alleged bullying, which led to this tragic incident, had taken place in a religious school — a place entrusted to nurture faith, discipline, and the highest standards of moral conduct among its students. She thus demanded the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Sabah Education Department (JPN Sabah) immediately adopt a zero-tolerance policy against bullying — and pair it with urgent, concrete reforms: 1. Mandatory CCTV installation in all hostel corridors and common areas. 2. Zero interference from schools in the filing of police reports. 3. Creation of a Student Protection & Bullying Response Unit under JPN Sabah. 4. Automatic post-mortem and legal inquest for any unnatural student death. 5. Deployment of more qualified counsellors and robust mental health support systems. 6. A prominently displayed Student Welfare Bill of Rights in all schools. 7. An Independent Review Panel to investigate serious incidents and publish findings. 'These are not optional measures. They are life-saving safeguards. Zara's death must be the turning point — not just another statistic in a growing list of preventable tragedies,' she said. Syafiqah also called for the introduction of a Parental Rights Charter, guaranteeing parents full access to incident records and eliminating barriers to lodging police reports. 'Every hour lost in reporting weakens investigations, destroys evidence, and denies justice. In Zara's case, the Attorney-General's Chambers has already flagged serious investigative gaps — this must never happen again,' she stressed. She urged leaders in the Sabah State Government and across political lines to act decisively, without delay. 'This is bigger than politics. This is about our children's lives, safety, and dignity. Zara deserved better. All our children do. Sabah Bersatu Srikandi will work with all stakeholders to make these reforms a reality—immediately,' Syafiqah concluded.

RM8.4 Million For Flag Pins While Schools Need Basic Repairs: Parents Question Priorities
RM8.4 Million For Flag Pins While Schools Need Basic Repairs: Parents Question Priorities

Rakyat Post

time3 days ago

  • Rakyat Post

RM8.4 Million For Flag Pins While Schools Need Basic Repairs: Parents Question Priorities

Subscribe to our FREE The Malaysian government has spent RM8.4 million purchasing flag pins for over 5 million school students, and parents are furious about it. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that every student gets two free Malaysian flag pins to wear on their school uniform. The pins went to students in regular schools, colleges, and teacher training centres across the country. Starting 21 April, all government school students must wear these 5cm x 2.5cm flag pins on the right side of their chest. The government says this will make students more patriotic and love Malaysia more. Why Parents Are Concerned Parents believe the RM8.4 million should have been allocated to school improvements instead of purchasing pins. They're raising concerns about broken desks and chairs, poorly maintained toilets that students avoid using, insufficient air conditioning, leaking roofs, and the lack of security cameras. One parent wrote online: 'Teachers even spend their own money to fix things in class when they break. That RM8.4 million could have helped so many schools instead of spending it on pins.' Another parent commented, 'Many school toilets are in such poor condition that children avoid using them all day until they get home. These issues should be addressed first before purchasing pins.' tandas sekolah mmg teruklah, aku penah g tandas budak sekolah terhebat tuttt mak aiiii teruk paip rosak, pintu berlubang — ajo. (@ainamajo) The Pin Problems Parents also pointed out that They break easily after just one week of wearing; the sharp pins can hurt young children, especially 7-year-olds, and when they fail, parents have to spend their money buying replacements anyway. 'Those pins break after wearing them for a week. Parents still end up spending money to buy new ones,' complained one parent. One parent suggested a simple solution: 'Just sell the pins at school shops for RM2 each. Use that RM8.4 million to fix our schools instead!' At the same time, the controversy highlights a larger question about government spending: why does each flag pin cost RM1.63 when similar pins are available online for less? As one social media user calculated: 'RM8.4 million divided by 5.14 million students equals RM1.63 per pin. That's expensive compared to market prices outside. I can buy them on Shopee for less than 50 cents each.' READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store