KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,799 out of 1,832 teachers who have yet to meet the requirements for confirmation in service failed a mandatory assessment.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the figure represented 98.2 per cent of those who had not fulfilled the requirements as of Sept 30, with most failures involving the comprehension component of the Mind Transformation Programme (PTM).
She said a separate group of 7,723 education service officers were undergoing the confirmation process.
“Among the factors preventing these education service officers from being confirmed is that 1,799 did not pass the prescribed examination, particularly the comprehension component of the PTM assessment,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.
Fadhlina was responding to Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah), who asked how many teachers were awaiting confirmation in service, broken down by state and length of service, and the reasons for the delays.
Apart from those who failed the assessment, 29 teachers had their probationary periods extended without penalty, while three had their probation extended with penalty.
Another teacher had their probationary period frozen.
Fadhlina said teachers must fulfil several conditions before being confirmed as permanent members of the civil service.
These include completing a probationary period of between one and three years, successfully attending an induction course or the PTM, and obtaining a recommendation from their head of department.
They must also meet any additional conditions stipulated under their service scheme.
She said the Education Ministry was working closely with the Education Service Commission (SPP) to ensure the appointment, confirmation and placement of teachers were handled systematically and in accordance with existing regulations.
“The ministry will continue strengthening cooperation with the SPP and all stakeholders to expedite the resolution of outstanding cases, while ensuring teachers’ welfare is protected and the educational needs of pupils nationwide remain a priority,” she said.