By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 16: Teachers across Malaysia will now be eligible to apply for transfers after just two years of service, a major policy shift announced by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek during the national-level Teachers Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
She said the long-awaited decision was made after taking into account the grievances, feedback and hopes expressed by teachers nationwide, as well as the compassion of the Madani Government.
“In recognition of their concerns and out of love for our teachers, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has decided that teachers may now submit transfer applications after serving only two years, or 24 months, without any conditions,” said Fadhlina, drawing applause from the audience.
This new policy is expected to ease the burden on many educators who have long voiced challenges related to placement and separation from families due to rigid transfer requirements.
Previously, teachers were only allowed to apply for transfers after three years of service.
In addition to the transfer policy reform, Fadhlina announced that a total of 1,470 teaching assistants under the MyPG programme will be appointed in 2025.
Selected schools, based on set criteria, will each receive two assistants to help manage daily classroom tasks and lighten the workload of teachers.
Fadhlina also celebrated the achievements of exemplary educators, revealing that a group of 32 outstanding teachers will be sent to the United Kingdom under the Global Immersion for Future-Ready Teachers (GIFT) programme.
“These teachers will undergo upskilling and knowledge-sharing initiatives with educators in the UK, with full sponsorship from the ministry,” she added.
Further demonstrating the government’s commitment to teacher development, Fadhlina announced a RM4 million allocation to fund short-term overseas training courses for teachers and education officers in selected disciplines.
Additional incentives such as discounted flight tickets and book voucher redemptions will also be made available to support the professional growth of educators. – DayakDaily
