15,000 teachers staying far apart from spouses appeal for transfer - MOE

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has received a total of 15,000 teacher transfer appeals in June from teachers who have been separated far from their spouses.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the results were expected to be out this June 1.

"From last year until this April, about 3,000 couples who stay apart from one another have successfully been transferred based on the location of their spouses," he told reporters after launching the Teacher's Day for the teaching community of the Batu Parliamentary constituency, here, Monday.

Starting from this year, teacher transfer appeals are open thrice in a year, namely in January, June and December, so as to deal with the issue of teachers who have to stay far from their spouses.

The considerations include three main criteria, namely teaching duration at the respective school, health condition and the duration to which the couple have been apart.

Previously, Mahdzir said the ministry wanted students' mastery in the academic field to be on par with the development of the student's personality.

Besides mastering the aspects of thinking skills and development, he said instilling courteous behaviour is equally important, although it may take a while to impart.

During the ceremony, he also presented awards to the school, retiring teachers and teacher figure at the Batu parliamentary constituency level.