STU calls for review of teacher intake system in Sarawak
KUCHING (July 4): Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) is calling for urgent revision of the teachers' intake system in the state, in view of the obvious flaws that it has observed.
In this matter, union president Kullin Djayang said the issue must not be addressed by simply taking in candidates solely based on them having education's degree, without considering their core qualifications and overall academic backgrounds.
'The panel (tasked with selecting the teachers) must also look into the IPTs (institutions of higher learning) that the teaching candidates graduated from.
'If they're from the IPTAs (public institutions) such as UPSI, UPM and UTM, we know that the quality of their qualifications is assured.
'For IPTA entry under education's degree programme, the candidates must at least obtain a CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 3.0, Band 3 MUET (Malaysian University English Test), and pass the oral MEDSI (Malaysian Educators Selection Inventory) exam,' he told Utusan Borneo here today.
Adding on, Kullin said those who made the cut for the Teachers Education Institute (IPG) would also undergo similar strict selection process, which would include them scoring a minimum of 5As in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, undertaking the Teachers Education Qualification Test (UKELP), as well as the psychometric and fitness tests, and also attending a special interview.
'All these requirements are meant to ensure that only quality teaching candidates would be selected; thus, upholding the status of this noble profession and producing excellent human capital,' he added.
In this regard, Kullin said that since the implementation of the special teachers' intake Sarawak, he claimed that the selection of those from private IPTs had been 'rushed'; thus, he said this could sow seeds of doubts over their qualifications.
'Many (from private IPTs) do not go through the 'filters' like the MEDSI, UKELP, psychometric test and the special interview.
'Even more so, it is known that the SPM and STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia – the highest secondary school qualification) results are not a top requirement for entry to private IPTs, unlike the strict qualifications for entering IPGs and IPTAs,' he pointed out.
STU, according to Kullin, is also concerned about the quality of facilities, as well as the teaching workforce and training at some private IPTs.
'STU has no intention to place blame on any college, but the union is pushing the Education Service Commission (SPP) to put particular focus when it comes to determining the viability and qualification of these institutions in providing education and training to future teachers; undertake action to making the selection so as to ensure high quality of education in Sarawak guru demi menjamin kualiti pendidikan di Sarawak.
'We are sure that the Education Ministry, and the government of Sarawak specifically through the State Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, would want teachers of great calibre.
'We believe that teachers with great education will contribute to building outstanding future generations,' he stressed. Kullin Djayang qualification revision STU teachers' intake
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