Primary school teacher placement saturated, trainee intake reduced

The placement of teachers in primary schools nationwide which has almost reached its optimum level is among the factor for the reduction in the intake of new trainees at Teacher Education Institutes (TEI) in the country.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said based on the latest placement rates, the number of teachers at many national (primary) schools had reached the 87 to 98 per cent mark.

"This means there are schools that have reached the saturation point for the placement of teachers," he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2017 for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat Monday.

Mahdzir said in this regard, only 1,576 trainees were admitted to 27 TEIs in the country this year, including 113 in Sabah, and 245 in Sarawak.

The minister said this was among the factors that led to the proposal to turn a few TEIs into polytechnics and vocational colleges as announced in Budget 2017 tabled by Prime Minister recently.

According to the proposal, four of the 27 campuses would be modified to become polytechnics, four more as vocational colleges and another as a Technical and Vocational Education Training Centre for Instructors.

Mahdzir also denied that the proposal aimed to close down the TEIs.

"Although the TEIs will be converted, current students studying there will continue until they finish the final year of their studies," he said.

Regarding the placement of teachers in secondary schools, Mahdzir said there was still a shortage, and said that they comprised graduates from public and private universities.

-- BERNAMA