‘Prioritise transfer of Sarawakian teachers to home state’
SIBU: United Association of Chinese Primary Aided Schools board of management Sibu and Kapit Divisions again calls on the federal government to give priority to Sarawakian teachers in the peninsula and Sabah to serve in their home state.
Its chairman Thomas Tang said special consideration for Sarawakian teachers is needed to solve the shortage of teachers in the state.
“We are actually experiencing shortage of teachers in Sarawak and hope the government can make special consideration to allow Sarawak teachers to return to serve in the state,” he told reporters after chairing the association’s 19th annual general meeting (AGM) at Wisma Huawen Du Zhong yesterday.
Tang stressed that the association would take the matter up to the Ministry of Education Malaysia and the state education ministry.
“About 30 Sarawak teachers in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah have asked the help of the association to request for their return to teach in their home state.
“They have been teaching in Chinese primary schools in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah for at least five years and faced difficulties since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Malaysia.
“Some have to maintain longdistance relationships, others did not have the opportunity to visit family members during emergency, see sick elderly and pay last respects to loved ones due to movement control,” he informed.
“Give priority to Sarawakians to return to teach in the state. We hope the government can pay attention to this issue to overcome teacher shortage in Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tang was unanimously appointed as chairman of the association for 2021-2022 session with Tang Sing Lok as secretary and Hii Lik Khing as treasurer.