Importing teachers is not the solution

Importing English teachers from India is not the best solution to solve the shortage of English teachers, and improve language proficiency among Malaysian students. Instead, government should first consider employing capable local graduates .

Hashim Adnan criticises government's plan to recruit non-native English speakers.

Hashim Adnan, president of the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has expressed his disagreement with the Malaysian government's plan to recruit English teachers from India. He cites cultural differences including accents as barriers to effective teaching.

"English is also their (India's) second language and the delivery of the subject by these teachers may be affected due to their accents," he said. He then questioned the government for not recruiting more native English speakers. Presently, 74 English Teaching Assistants from the United States are being stationed at selected schools nationwide

He then added that the country has a stable supply of qualified teachers, some of which have yet to secure employment in government schools.

In 2012, an unofficial number by Gabungan Guru ISMP Malaysia (GGIM), a pressure group made of over 3,600 unemployed BEd (Bachelor of Education) graduates, put the number of unemployed teachers at 20,000.

These unemployed teachers usually come from private colleges and varsities. Private schools usually prefer expatriate or experienced teachers while national schools prefer graduates of public varsities and government teacher training programmes.