The dwindling number of teachers in major cities, especially in Johor and Selangor, is a serious issue as many of them who are in service are choosing to return to their respective hometown.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik said their tendency to request to work in their hometown was due to the higher cost of living in big cities.

“The shortage is happening in cities like Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang and Shah Alam, and the ministry is looking into the matter to search for the best solution to keep these teachers from leaving.

“There may be some initiatives that can be taken, such as raising the cost of living allowance (hardship allowance) or to encourage more locals to be teachers, but all are still under review,” he said.

At the same time, he appealed them not to leave their allocated teaching posts. 

Maszlee, the Simpang Renggam MP, was asked about whether Johor and other states are currently facing a shortage of teachers.

He was speaking to reporters at the opening ceremony and presentation of work completion certificate for the construction of Johor’s dilapidated schools phase one at the SK Simpang Renggam in Kluang today. 

Meanwhile, on dilapidated schools, Maszlee said the ministry would double its efforts to ensure the projects that were given to rebuild and upgrade these schools would be completed soon.

“From time to time, I will monitor to ensure that it is completed according to the dateline,” he said.

Based on 2017 statistics, the ministry identified 120 schools that are dilapidated throughout the country, with 60 located in Peninsular Malaysia and 30 in Sabah and Sarawak respectively.

With the allocation provided by the government in 2018, more than 20 of those schools have been rebuilt or repaired through the first phase of the project, he added. 

- Bernama