By Nityaasini Sivagami
19th February: Teaching goes beyond delivering lessons it shapes young minds and communities. However, with nearly 12,000 educators taking early retirement between 2022 and 2023, education groups warn of a growing shortage that could impact learning. (Source: The Star)
Losing experienced teachers can be demoralizing for those who remain and may force staff to teach subjects they are not well-versed in. This, in turn, affects student performance, said Malaysian Association for Education secretary Hamidi Mookkaiyah Abdullah. He urged immediate action to curb the trend before it severely impacts the education system. (Source: The Star)
Experts suggest offering better incentives, including performance-based bonuses, to retain teachers. The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) and the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) emphasized that teachers should focus on academics rather than administrative work. (Source: The Star)
NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon called for greater teaching autonomy, allowing educators to provide extra attention to students struggling with basic literacy and numeracy skills. Stress from work-related messages outside working hours was also cited as a major factor in teacher resignations. (Source: The Star)
In 2023, 6,394 teachers retired early, up from 5,306 in the previous year, according to Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh. The Education Ministry reported that disinterest in the profession, family matters, health, and workload were key reasons behind the exits. (Source: The Star)
