New Trainee Teachers In Malaysia Will No Longer Get An Allowance From June Next Year
Existing trainee teachers will, however, continue to get the allowances.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Jul 2017, 01:18 PM
The Education Ministry has decided that allowances for trainee teachers will be stopped from June 2018
A report published in The Star Online, 13 July, cites Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon, saying that teachers undergoing training will no longer get the RM430 monthly living expenses and RM500 yearly travel allowances.
Datuk Chong Sin Woon, however, added the Education Ministry will continue funding the undergraduate degree in Education (PISMP), the English daily reported.
"The total cost of the four-year PISMP fee is RM27,831. This will still be borne by the Government," the Deputy Education Minister was quoted as saying.
Additionally, the foundation course allowances, and the fees, totalling RM8,163, would continue to be paid by the Government.
This move, however, won't affect existing PISMP trainees
The existing trainee teachers, until they graduate, would continue to receive the RM430 monthly living expense allowance and travel allowance of RM500 per year.
What should the affected trainee teachers do now?
They have been advised to apply to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) for a loan to help with their living expenses.
A file photo of two of female trainees (right) enjoying fresh seafood with their foster family headed by Pacik Asim.
Image via Borneo TodayReacting to the Ministry's decision, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan and Suhakam commissioner and ex-NUTP secretary-general Datuk Lok Yim Pheng have voiced their concerns
Harry Tan said the Government could have taken a soft-landing approach as the short notice given for the announcement is unfair to parents and trainees.
Lok Yim Pheng, meanwhile, urged the ministry to reconsider the move.
"I was told that at one of the teacher education institutes, at least 30% of the trainees’ parents are 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BRIM) recipients. What is the situation like in other institutes? How will the poor cope?," The Star Online quoted her as saying.