Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will mobilise reserve candidates from the Education Services Commission (SPP) list to fill teacher shortages in preparation for next year's teaching needs. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said priority will go to reserve candidates whose subject specialisations match next year's identified shortages.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the move comes in anticipation of a double cohort in 2027, with six-year-olds entering Year 1 voluntarily, creating a need for more teachers. Wong explained that the MOE has decided to work with the SPP to appoint 20,000 teachers on a contract of service (COS) basis, as previous projections from the Teacher Education Institutes (IPG) only accounted for a single cohort. This strategy will allow the ministry to meet the increased demand for teachers by hiring additional personnel on a COS basis from those without specialisation.
Wong addressed Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau) during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, clarifying that early childhood graduates from the IPG or higher education institutions would be absorbed into the DG9 grade to tackle the projected 2027 teacher shortage from voluntary six-year-old Year 1 enrolment.
In a related development, Wong mentioned that the MOE placed 3,237 new teachers in Sarawak last year, based on vacancies and subject requirements in the state. As of December 31, 2025, Sarawak had 42,315 teachers in service out of 43,257 positions, achieving a 97.82 per cent fill rate. Wong provided this information in response to Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) regarding the ministry's efforts to address teacher placement in Sarawak.
Wong emphasized that teacher recruitment by the SPP is conducted based on vacancies and subject specialisation needs outlined by the MOE. The process requires all candidates to undergo the SPP's screening process, meet service scheme requirements, match the relevant subject cluster, pass the interview, and be medically certified fit by a registered practitioner before their appointment. He assured that the KPM is committed to enhancing new teacher recruitment, working closely with the SPP to ensure effective vacancy filling nationwide.