KUCHING: Teacher recruitment in Sarawak for 2024 has seen a significant increase, with 2,180 candidates selected, exceeding the original 1,140 vacancies.

Sarawak State Education Director, Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad, credited the Sarawak Government's efforts, through the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD), and the support of the Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM), for this positive outcome.

He highlighted that this progress is a crucial step toward addressing the state's teacher shortage.

"The number of candidates called for interviews has been encouraging and should be sufficient to meet the requirements for this November," he said.

Datu Dr Azhar shared this during a press conference after officiating the 2023 Padawan District Education Office (PPD) Excellent Service Award Ceremony at the Imperial Hotel Kuching on Sunday night.

He further noted that the ceremony reflects the department's commitment to recognising high-quality, dynamic, and high-performing public servants.

"I hope this recognition not only motivates the award recipients but also inspires all staff members at PPD Padawan to continue excelling in their roles," he added.

During the event, 250 staff members from PPD Padawan were honoured as recipients of the 2023 Excellent Service Award.

Also present were Deputy Director of the Sarawak State Education Department, Dr Abang Hut Abang Engkeh, Padawan District Education Officer, Dr Abang Adam Abang Deli, CPRF Sarawak Region / AOO Kuching Branch Manager, Nina Melling, Focal Person for PPD Padawan, Moliadi Ahmad, Chairman of the Sarawak Secondary School Principals Association Zone B Kuching (Padawan), Abit Hong, and President of the National Primary School Headmasters Association Padawan Branch, Edward Peter Bajat, along with other celebrated teachers and academic staff. -UKASnews