Solving Islamic teacher shortage
Published on: Monday, July 04, 2022
Arifin (third left) presenting the “Tokoh Guru Jheains 2022” award to Ustaz Hamdani (right) while others look on.
THE State Government will provide funds to address the shortage of teachers in Islamic religious schools under the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains).Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said they would increase the number of Grade DG41 teachers since there are local youths who graduated from local and foreign universities who are still unemployed.
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He said teachers are the most important element in colouring education in schools as without them, education of the children will be affected and cannot be implemented, accordingly.
“We are aware of this situation and thus, the State Government through the Sabah Public Service Commission (Spans) has appointed 160 teachers as DG29 education service officers to fill vacancies in Jheains schools.
“Although the appointments are not able to cover the existing shortage (of teachers in Islamic religious schools), it will help in the teaching and learning process in the schools,” he said.
He added that the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis), through its zakat division, has been helping to pay for the allowances of 183 temporary teachers in Islamic religious primary schools (SAN), Islamic kindergartens, Islamic religious secondary schools (SMAN) and Institute Tahfiz Al-Quran Negeri Sabah (ITQAS).
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“Let’s not forget to record our highest appreciation and thanks to Muis,” said Hajiji when officiating the Teachers’ Day celebration at Jheains level at Wisma Muis, Kota Kinabalu, on June 30. His speech was read by Special Tasks Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
More than 1,000 teachers under Jheains, including headmasters and principals, attended the event that has not been organised for a few years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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According to Hajiji, the State Government will also provide funds via Jheains to upgrade facilities, including erecting new buildings, for dilapidated Islamic religious schools.
“Presently, there are 106 SAN, including two integrated SAN that teach academic and Islamic subjects.
“Following the need for SAN in Kudat, a new SAN was opened in Pekan Karakit, in the Banggi sub-district, to cater for Islamic education needs in the area.
“There are six SMAN, including SMAN Islamiah Beaufort that has moved to a new building in Kg Kabidang, and 16 Islamic kindergartens under Jheains,” he said.
Hajiji said such scenario proves how much is Islamic education needed by the local Muslim community.
He said there is also a plan to build more new SAN in several districts where the Muslim communities need formal Islamic education.
In a press conference, Arifin said Jheains would look for ways to increase SMAN in Sabah to meet the needs of about 3,000 Muslim students applying to enrol in Islamic-based secondary schools.
He thanked the State Government through the Sabah Public Service Commission for approving another 160 teachers to be posted to Islamic religious schools under Jheains.
Arifin also presented top awards for best management of Jheains kindergarten to Kuala Tadika Jheains, Papar, best management of SAN to SAN Kg Kelanahan, Papar and the same best award for SMAN to SMAN Toh Puan Hjh Rahmah, Kinarut, Papar.
Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Negeri Sabah (ITQAS) and Ustaz Hamdani Omar were selected as the recipients of the “Tokoh Guru Jheains 2022” award.
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