Educators can apply for transfers to join their spouses after serving two years
IPOH: Teachers in long-distance marriages applying for transfers will be given priority, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said the government is empathetic towards such teachers and would always take into account their situations.
As such, she said these teachers could apply for transfers to join their spouses after serving a minimum of two years.
Previously, they would need to wait three years before they could seek transfers.
“We understand this situation very well. Our goal is to take care of the welfare of our teachers,” she told a press conference after opening the national-level Teachers Day appreciation ceremony here yesterday.
Fadhlina pointed out that about 80% of the applications approved by the ministry concerned long-distance couples.
“The others are based on health issues and safety, which are also our considerations,” she added.
Yesterday’s celebration saw Dr Velerie Wheelervon Primus, 37, being given the Education Minister’s Special Award for his work which had been recognised internationally.
The SK Bingkor special education teacher from Keningau, Sabah, was named the South- East Asia and Pacific regional winner of the 2026 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards earlier this month.
He said he was grateful for being recognised for his work in helping special needs children learn, citing how he had developed three educational plans.
“I have also helped an autistic student go from being in a wheelchair to someone who can run and play football,” he said.
He spoke of wanting to create the best quality education specifically for his students.
Velerie said he became a special needs teacher after his son, Nogah, was diagnosed as an autistic child four years ago.
“My son, who is now 11 years old, is able to read and is independent,” he said.
Velerie said he has been working in education for 13 years, starting as a sports teacher, before becoming a cultural arts teacher, and now a special needs teacher.
