KUALA LUMPUR – A group of education graduates have lashed out against teacher candidates with no educational certification, claiming that the former have a right to be prioritised for special one-off contract-based recruitment schemes.
This follows grievances aired by rejected contract teacher hopefuls who alleged ambiguities and discrepancies in the hiring drive.
In a statement shared with The Vibes, the group of education graduates expressed their firm conviction in their entitlement to teacher postings assigned by the Education Ministry and the Education Service Commission (SPP).
“Compared to candidates without teaching backgrounds, our academic qualifications in the education field are superior and we have a more holistic grasp of pedagogy theories and practices.
“The ways of the education system are ingrained in our soul. Our soul is the soul of the educator,” they said, adding that they have hands-on experience in educating students.
They reiterated that Senior Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin had from the get-go assured the prioritisation of teacher candidates with education certifications, labelling quota issues alleged by rejected applicants as being a “political gimmick”.
On Thursday, the minister said the ministry had always been transparent in giving precedence to those with teaching accreditation.
“If there are empty slots after we have considered our supply of certified educational graduates, only then can we open up placements for those who come from a non-educational background,” he said, adding that there was never a specific quota for contract applicants.
A statement by SPP last July 6 delivered similar notions as the body said education graduates would be considered first, whether they come from local public or private universities.
Besides praising the ministry for its commitment in concentrating on teacher graduates, the group also came to the defence of the minister, calling on rebuffed educator applicants to watch their words and manners.
“Rejected contract teacher candidates decided to make accusations towards and even insulted him (Radzi) by body-shaming him on social media,” they said.
In March, the group cried foul over apparent flaws in the ministry’s special one-off teacher recruitment scheme and submitted a memorandum to Putrajaya detailing their complaints.
Subsequently, Deputy Education Minister II Datuk Mohamad Alamin had admitted to there being weaknesses in the application system that must be rectified. – The Vibes, June 4, 2022
