Mentally Challenged

“It not only lacks professionalism but is also irresponsible, likely exacerbating the shortage of teachers in Chinese primary schools.” According to them, Chinese primary schools are facing a shortage of 4,300 teachers, most of whom are Chinese language teachers.  They added that the Education Ministry’s Institute of Teacher Education is only training 252 Chinese language teachers from 2024 to 2028.

“Is the ministry training enough new teachers to fill in the vacancies including the vacancies for Chinese subject teachers?” they asked. Dong Jiao Zong claimed the ministry has erred in gathering statistics regarding the teaching force at the schools. “In calculating the demand for primary school teachers, the ministry categorises the teachers and counts Chinese language teachers as only teaching the Chinese subject.

“Teachers teaching other subjects such as mathematics, science, history, sports, arts, et cetera, are likewise classified under the respective subjects.” In practice, however, Dong Jiao Zong said Chinese primary school teachers are assigned to teach multiple subjects with Chinese as the language of instruction, and not just the Chinese language itself.

As such, the statistics that Fadhlina provided in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday do not reflect the actual demand for teachers at Chinese primary schools.

‘No demand for new teachers’

In response to a question by Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, Fadhlina had written that the Education Ministry anticipates a surplus of Chinese and Tamil subject teachers at vernacular primary schools from 2024 to 2029, hence there is no need to train additional teachers for these subjects.

She said that as of Sept 29 this year, Chinese primary schools needed 6,319 teachers for the Chinese subject, but a total of 6,859 positions have been filled. This means an excess of 540 teachers. For the Tamil subject at Tamil schools, she said there is an excess of 308 teachers on top of the 1,433 teachers needed.

“After considering all elements in projecting demand for teachers from 2024 to 2029, it is found there is no need for new teachers for the Chinese and Tamil language options because there is a surplus for these options.   “However, we will review the projections from time to time,” she said.

Criticism from both sides

Fadhlina’s statement has drawn criticism from politicians from both sides of the political divide, namely MCA president Wee Ka Siong, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong, and DAP’s Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun.

“I advise her to visit Chinese primary schools for inspection so that she can gain a thorough understanding of the weekly teaching hours for lower and upper grades, as well as all subjects taught in Chinese primary schools. “At the same time, the minister must also understand that except for Malay and English language classes, subjects such as mathematics, science, arts, moral education, and music are all taught using the Chinese language as the medium of instruction,” he said.

“According to regulations, Malay and English language subjects for Standard 1 and 2 must be taught by teachers who are also proficient in Chinese,” said Wee, who is also the Ayer Hitam MP. In a bid to allay concerns, Fadhlina’s deputy Lim Hui Ying said the ministry will review the projections on the demand for Chinese language subject teachers.

“I will further discuss with the minister to ensure that the Education Ministry continues to train Chinese and Tamil language teachers annually. “I acknowledge the concerns of the Chinese community, Dong Jiao Zong, and the Indian community,” she said at a press conference at the parliament lobby.

Lim, who is from DAP, admitted that the statistical formula used by the ministry fails to reflect the actual situation, which has led to inaccuracies in the ministry’s data and admission quotas at the Institute of Teacher Education. She said she has contacted Fadhlina, who is currently overseas, and they will meet to discuss the matter when Fadhlina returns.

muomuo : Another half baked racist biased and a bigot. What more can any one say? Disgusting. If this is the kind of minister harapan has this country is in a sorry state.

natozlighg : Incompetence and inexperience are words to describe her and therefore unqualified to helm the education ministry. PMX appointed her for political expediency without taking the interest of the students. The sooner PMX takes her out from the education ministry the less damage is done. Clearly she is unfit to be the education minister.

Anonymous 2618592708 : Fadhlina is anti non-muslim and DAP has no balls to fight the injustice by the government towards non-muslim. Fadhlina forgotten that she became a minister because of the strong non-muslim votes in the last GE. Looks like DAP is as useless as MCA.

ANNONYMOUS : The only SURPLUS the country has is a great surplus of useless & incompetent so-called "Ministers" & cronies in power. The worse is yet to come! Allah help us!! And under Mr Madani, the situation in the country is getting from bad to worse and further regressing.

And despite the country drowning in debts in $$$TRILLIONS & the people are suffering, the escalating inflation, the plunging worthless $ringgit, the most vital Education System in shambles and further regressing, Mr Madani has his priority screwed up and is still freely & excessivelly throwing away taxpayers' $100millions to Hamas.

And the most revolting was condoning, abusing and using schools and radicalising young school children to hate where they are coerced and instigated to step on Israeli flag and primary school students and teachers brandishing firearms and dressed as Palestinian militants shouting anti-Kafir hate speech!

REFORMASI, MY FOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!