KUALA LUMPUR: More than 20,000 new teachers will be assigned to schools nationwide this year, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said this is part of efforts to address teacher shortages and strengthen the workforce.
She said 10,045 new teachers have been placed in schools as of Sept 22.
“This placement process will continue with an additional 10,096 new teachers,” she said.
Fadhlina said they include open market hires and Bachelor of Education Programme graduates from the Institute of Teacher Education and added that they are set to begin service in November.
“This brings the total number of teachers placed this year to 20,141,” she said.
She was replying in writing to Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani).
Johari asked about measures to reduce teachers’ workloads and place teachers in under-resourced schools.
As a long-term measure, the ministry increased the intake of PISMP candidates to 11,000 in 2025 from 6,300 in 2024.
Fadhlina added that this aims to ensure a sufficient and continuous supply of teachers and said inter-ministerial collaboration has been strengthened with a joint secretariat with the Higher Education Ministry since March 2025.
“To expedite recruitment and placement, the ministry now conducts permanent intakes twice a year,” she said.
Fadhlina said the Education Service Commission keeps applications open year-round.
“Through these measures, we are confident that teachers’ workloads can be reduced,” she said.
“This allows full focus on teaching and learning. These improvements will continue to be enhanced for the well being of educators,” added Fadhlina.
