KGBS accepts reason for ending of temporary teachers’ contracts

Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union ( KGBS) is taking a rational view on the service termination of more than 200 interim teachers despite the state Education Department needing 988 teachers to fill the current vacancies.

KGBS president Ahmad Malie said that there should be no compromise on the quality of teachers as those lacking in quality should not remain in service just to fill up the vacancies available.

He was commenting on the report carried by thesundaypost that more than 200 temporary local teachers throughout Sarawak would have their services terminated effective March 15 dampening efforts to achieve the 90:10 ratio of local teachers to those from other states by 2018.

“For KGBS, we do not want to sacrifice or compromise the quality of teachers. We do not want teachers without quality to be continuously engaged to fill up the vacancies available and if this happens, it is most unfortunate that our education is tarnished with inappropriate action. Therefore, KGBS accepts the decision made by the government,” he said in a statement on Monday.

On the 200 interim teachers who would have their services terminated, he said KGBS sympathised with them but hoped that they would accept the decision which had been made by the government.

However, he assured that KGBS would discuss with the authorities concerned to find the best way to help them.

He said the affected teachers already had the basic skill and knowledge in teaching but perhaps had weakness in other aspects and could not make the grade in interview.

“This is the factor we need to identify and if (these) factors can be identified, it will assist us to plan and find a way to assist these teachers,” Ahmad said.

The state Education Department director Rakayah Madon had asked those affected to respect the decision of the Education Service Commission ( SPP) to terminate their service.

Reinforcing Rakayah’s statement, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid had also stated they would not be taken as temporary teachers if they failed in the interview, adding that it was also a requirement for them to go through the psychometric test.