PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry is looking into the request for teachers with higher academic qualifications to be given better salaries as a recognition of their efforts.
"We will take seriously the views of the Prime Minister who had announced that increase in the civil servants’ salary will be the government's priority when the country's income improves,” Sinar Harian quoted minister Fadhlina Sidek as saying on Saturday (May 27).
Fadhlina, who is Nibong Tebal MP, was responding to media reports urging the government to heed requests for better salaries for teachers with higher academic qualifications as recognition for them to strive further.
National Professor Council's Education Cluster and Human Capital secretary Dr Anuar Ahmad was reported as saying that the salary of teachers with a bachelor’s degree and PhD were the same and should be reviewed.
He said the government should give incentives to teachers with higher qualifications to not only encourage them to enhance their knowledge but also raise their salaries in their particular fields.
Fadhina said the ministry has always encouraged teachers to continue their studies and that there were no obstacles to this.
"This is because the integrity and quality of the teaching profession have continuously evolved and it will open wider avenues as most of them are well qualified in their profession these days," she added.
