Education Ministry to introduce psychometric assessment for teacher candidates

The Education Ministry will improve the mental health screening procedures for new teacher candidates from the Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG) by introducing the psychometric assessment.

Its deputy minister, P. Kamalanathan, said the assessment, scheduled to be implemented next year, was necessary as part of the measures to address problems of teachers with mental problems.

"Actually, the Education Ministry through the Psychology and Counseling Division (BPsK) had already carried out mental health tests on all new teacher candidates from IPG, known as the Self Detection Index (IPK), he added.

He said the psychometric assessment had been practiced in developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Kamalanathan was speaking at a media conference after opening a two-day Psychology and Counseling Carnival, with the theme 'Know Psychology Explore Self Potential', organised by BPsK, Education Minstry, here on Monday.

He said the ministry would also consider introducing the psychometric assessment in the procedure for promotion as school head to ensure only those who were qualified were appointed to the post.