[ Index ]
 

Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the comment by the Parliamentary Secretary in the Education Ministry the Honourable Dato' Mahadzir bin Mohd Khir on more women than men in the teaching profession.

Just like some countries, Malaysia has more women teachers than men in its schools. But, we are still short of many teachers.

On 2 November 2000, the Parliamentary Secretary Dato' Mahadzir said up to 30 June 2000, the ratio of men to women is about 1:2 in primary schools and 1:1.6 in secondary schools. In primary schools, there are 56,456 men and 101,746 women and in secondary schools 43,656 men and 71,176 women.

The trend continues. Although the Parliamentary Secretary has not given the figures for universities, we believe the trend is the same. Given equal opportunities, women do better in certain fields. If there is no restriction, more women enter universities.

Dr Mahadzir says that male graduates are more interested in other types of work. There is a wider field. They get more money. We know that there are many reasons for more women than man in teaching.

Now, the crux is the shortage of teachers especially in science and mathematics. Apparently, in primary Chinese schools alone, we are short of at least 4,000 teachers. If we only have single session in schools and the number of students in a class is reduced from 40 or 50 to 30, the shortage is in tens of thousands.

The Education Minister Tan Sri Musa Mohamad should pay more attention on training more and better teachers. He should create a good atmosphere for teachers so that they do not leave or retire early. Some go to teach in Singapore where they get higher pay and better conditions. Others go into business or other fields or simply become homemakers.

The Minister must investigate the conditions of over 273,000 teachers. Such things as unfair promotions, salaries, allowances, injustice, feudal mentality and racial and religious polarization have been mentioned. Because of these and other reasons, we continue to be short of teachers.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw