MoU signed to give teachers competitive edge

KUCHING: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked to propel teachers well into the future with competent skill sets.

It is the first step towards formalising  a slew of mutually beneficial initiatives, particularly in the area of enhancing teachers’ skill sets through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and TVET training (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).

The MoU was signed between the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (Sarawak Skills) and the Samarahan District Education Office (PPD Samarahan) at the Sarawak Skill Auditorium in Tabuan Jaya on Monday (Nov 8).

Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri said the MoU was part and parcel of its ongoing initiatives with PPD Samarahan to enhance teachers’ knowledge, skills and competencies in teaching and learning in line with the educational requirements of the 21^st century.

“As a training provider for skills enhancement, Sarawak Skills will provide the platform for both parties to share and exchange knowledge and expertise regarding STEM and TVET programmes which are relevant to the needs of the industries,” he said.

PPD Samarahan education officer Sapawi Mahdi said research indicated that 70.9 per cent of primary and secondary school teachers in Samarahan have not fully mastered computer skills and basic understanding of the Arduino software for the subject Reka Bentuk dan Teknologi (RBT).

“On that note, with Industry Revolution 4.0 at our doorsteps, a number of initiatives have been implemented to better equip our teachers in this competitive and challenging environment, particularly in terms of understanding and using technologies and gadgets,” he stated.

The MoU was inked between Hallman  and Sapawi, witnessed by Secretary of the Sarawak Skills Management Council Datuk Maznah Dasmi.

Also present at the signing of the MoU were Chief Assistant Director of the TVET Unit, Sarawak State Education Department Sathi Savarana Subramaniam; Assistant Director of the TVET Unit, Sarawak State Education Department Zamri Sahaat; Sarawak Skills’ Deputy Executive Director of Education, Training and Student Services Zakri Md Salleh; delegates from the Samarahan District Education Office, and members of the Sarawak Skills management team.