BETONG: Raising the salaries of teachers, lecturers and staff of the Ministry of Education commensurate with their highest academic qualifications will drive education forward.
Spaoh Islamic Khairat Trust Board (LAKIS) chairman Dr Abang Ismail Abang Julhi said this would do justice to those who make an effort to attain higher qualifications.
According to him, three days ago Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had expressed willingness to further discuss the salary issue of educators with higher academic qualifications.
“I think a salary increase is appropriate, including that of staff in other departments and institutions in the MoE,” said Abang Ismail.
He said this when responding to Fadhlina’s statement regarding MoE’s willingness to discuss the matter further here, yesterday.
He explained that currently the MoE had two schemes for teachers, namely the Non-Graduate Education Services Scheme (SPPBS) and the Graduate Education Services Scheme (SPPS).
“SPPBS includes teachers in Grades DG29 to DG38, while SPPS is for teachers in Grades DG41 to DG54 and thereafter to JUSA and TURUS.
“However, SPPBS is seen to be decreasing in line with MoE’s move to introduce several programmes to certify teachers from the early 2000s.
“As a result, many teachers in Malaysia have a Bachelor’s degree, and some even continue their studies to the Master’s level, then a PhD in the field of education on a full-time or part-time basis.
“Similarly lecturers as well as teachers who serve in the District Education Office (PPD), State Education Department (JPN) and Ministry of Education who also take up the challenge to improve their academic levels in line with current needs.”
“Therefore, as an encouragement to educators to continue their studies to a higher level, the DG grade should also be in line with the new scheme that will be introduced,” he said.
Abang Ismail suggested that teachers with a Bachelor’s degree and in Grade DG41 to 44 who want to move to Grade DG48, should in addition to the time-based factor of being teachers, have a Master’s degree for promotion.
“As for DG54 up to JUSA, this requires a group of thinkers, thus those who have a PhD should be appointed,” he said.
