Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

June 22, 2021

Additional Recruitments to Address Teacher Shortage Expected—

Comprehensive Review of the Teacher Training System Urged

In response to the MOE’s decision to employ 18,702 ‘DG41’ teachers with BA degree to address teacher shortage in both vernacular primary and national-type high schools once and for all, Dong Jiao Zong gladly releases its joint statement as follows:

1. Dong Jiao Zong understands that the shortage of teachers has long been besetting vernacular primary and national-type high schools; it in fact is detrimental to the development of national education and thus must be looked into seriously for an algorithm. The pronouncement made by the MOE informing that 18,702 ‘DG41’ teachers with BA degree would be recruited on 7 July and posted to schools in October was indeed a relieving news to Dong Jiao Zong, as it would fulfill the imminent need for the time being. Data reveal, there are currently 700 vacancies in vernacular Chinese primary schools and some one hundred vacancies in national-type high schools to be filled in. Weighing on this, Dong Jiao Zong urges interested ethnic Chinese to apply actively and fill the vacancies.

2. To secure the smooth running of teacher recruitment process, particularly in a bid to provide sufficient number of candidates for the vacancies in both primary and high schools, Dong Jiao Zong had submitted several proposals to the Deputy Education Minister Mah Hang Soon for feasible approaches. These proposals include the earlier release of application requirements, namely, the application method and qualifications needed and the total number of recruitments for all subjects and stream of schools, in order to facilitate the recruitment process. Meanwhile, Dong Jiao Zong had also reflected the extant teacher shortage issue to the Deputy Education Minister and examined relevant plans for solution, hopefully to resolve the problem. One of the proposals was for competent and qualified applicants from recognised private and foreign universities to apply; it is intended to encourage more varsity graduate engagement. Besides, the MOE is likewise urged to get ready for the ensuing training for non-education-major candidates to boost their teaching competency.

3. As released by the MOE in a press conference, the attributes causing the shortage of primary and secondary school teachers include the following: the drop of intake in the national teacher training college in 2016; shortage of students and the posting issue generated from the incompatibility between vacancies and majors, among others. Dong Jiao Zong opines, the revelation shows the shortcomings of the teacher training system and its urgency to be rectified before the situation worsens. For a once and for all solution, Dong Jiao Zong urges the MOE to review the existing teacher training mechanism, in particular the provision of accurate number of subject teachers for all stream of schools nationally; with the statistics, the MOE can then plan comprehensively, including the training of sufficient number of teachers and the formulation of posting mechanism. It is to ensure earlier posting for graduates. Concurrently, the MOE is urged to review the reasons of less applied subjects and intake system to secure admission and training for those interested.

4. With the release of the SPM results, the MOE had initiated the teacher training college intake proceedings for UEC and religious school certificate holders spontaneously. As usual, 20 vacancies are provided for UEC holders. Admitted UEC candidates will be trained to be vernacular Chinese primary school Chinese language teachers. Dong Jiao Zong further prompts the MOE to disclose the intake ongoings so that publicity can be proceeded, hoping that more qualified UEC holders will be encouraged to apply actively and join vernacular Chinese primary schools as teachers.