By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Jan 25: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has announced his intention to propose the relocation of the Iban Language Study Centre at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Perak to a local university in Sarawak.
This move aims to address the shortage of Iban language teachers in primary and secondary schools throughout the State.
“Based on 2022/2023 academic session date, there are a total of 2,836 Iban language teachers in primary schools but only 385 opted to for it.
“For secondary schools, there are a total of 282 Iban language teachers, and of that number only 63 opted,” he told reporters after officiating at the launching ceremony of the English-Iban Dictionary at Batu Lintang Teacher Education Center (IPG) here today.
The deputy premier emphasised the critical shortage of Iban language lecturers at UPSI and highlighted the challenges faced by qualified Iban teachers who intended to become lecturers but had to cancel their plans due to remote locations and family concerns.
“I will discuss with Unimas on this matter and maybe we can have the course here to enable Sarawakians to apply,” he added.
The English-Iban Dictionary was produced by Iban language lecturers from Rajang Teachers Training Institute (RTTI) in Bintangor and members of Association For The Educational Development of Iban Language (AEDIL) under the supervision of RTTI director Dr Lambat Lindong. — DayakDaily.
