Support for Fullbright ETAs in Sarawak needed

Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) Programme 2014 which is a high profile programme involving two nations must be supported by stakeholders at all departments, the district office and especially schools, to succeed.

Head of Academic Sector Sarawak Education Department, Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus said the Education Ministry and the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (Macee) has provided the ETA programme guidelines for a better understanding of stakeholders' roles in the programme.

"All of us aspire to see that at the end of the programme our students are, highly motivated, more interested and having full confidence in participating in all learning areas related to the English language," he said at an ETAs handing over ceremony to school principals, here on Wednesday.

Also present was Fulbright ETA Programme Coordinator David Peterson.

One hundred ETAs arrived in Malaysia recently to begin their nine-month assignment which is designed to help teach English at primary and secondary schools in six states.

The 10 ETAs allocated for Sarawak had gone through their national level orientation programme in Kuala Lumpur from Jan 6 to 21 and undergo a state level orientation from January 22 till January 30.

Abang Mat also assured that all 10 ETAs for Sarawak and their mentors would receive full support from the state department, district officers and school partners.

"We anticipate nine months of an exciting journey for all of you in Sarawak. We hope ETAs will enjoy the professional endeavor and also the socio-cultural experience in Sarawak," he said.

The 10 ETAs for the state will be attached with 10 schools in Kuching, Samarahan, Siburan and Serian areas namely SMK Bandar Samariang, SMK Semerah Padi, SMK Siburan, SMK Kota Samarahan, SMK Muara Tuang, SMK Tarat, SMK Serian, SMK Taee, SMK Simanggang and SMK St Luke.