Sarawak schools 99 pct staffed, yet still short of 500 teachers

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak schools have filled nearly 99 per cent of their teaching positions but still have 500 vacancies, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the state's overall teacher staffing rate had reached 98.84 per cent following the latest placement exercise on Sept 30.

"At present, there are 224 teaching vacancies in secondary schools and another 276 in primary schools in Sarawak," he said in reply to a question from Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan).

Wong said secondary schools continue to face vacancies in subjects such as Science and Design and Technology, while primary schools require teachers for Mathematics, Music, and Guidance and Counselling.