Sarawak schools reach 99% teacher staffing yet still lack 500 educators
Sarawak’s schools have filled almost 99% of teaching posts, but 500 vacancies remain, with gaps in both primary and secondary subjects.
In a parliamentary briefing, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reported that Sarawak’s schools have achieved a 98.84% teacher staffing level following the latest placement exercise on September 30. Despite this high rate, 224 secondary-school positions and 276 primary-school positions remain unfilled, with shortages in subjects such as Science, Design and Technology, Mathematics, Music, and Guidance & Counselling.
The staffing rates stand at 98.61% for secondary schools and 98.98% for primary schools after new graduates from teacher education institutes were assigned. All 114 reserve teacher candidates from Sarawak have received appointments, and the Education Ministry is conducting open-market recruitment interviews, expected to finish in November, to address the shortfall. However, matching reserve candidates to vacancies is difficult because placements depend on specific academic qualifications and subject specialisations. Nationwide, 880 reserve candidates await appointment, with 317 requests already submitted and over 500 whose eligibility expires on December 14 under review.
Why it matters
Teacher shortages can undermine the quality of education for students across Sarawak.
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