Tertiary education for free - The Star

KUALA TERENGGANU: Jul 23, 2008


Some 15,000 primary schools teachers will now have the opportunity to further their studies to tertiary level without forking out a single sen while enjoying their full salaries.

Under the Primary School Teacher Graduation Programme, primary school teachers can also sign up for on-line courses offered by Education Institutions like the Open University Malaysia (OUM), starting from November this year. The programme will continue until 2012.

Prof. Dr. Mansor, Senior Vice President of OUM was briefing a group of teachers at Institut Perguruan Ipoh under the SMP program

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said courses would be offered by Teacher Training Institutes nationwide, under the “study during school holiday” mode.

He said teachers could apply for the courses majoring in various specialities and could continue their studies up to four years without taking leave or resigning.

“The intake would be 3,000 teachers annually and these teachers could opt for institutions that are close to their homes,” he said after launching the 14th National Headmasters Convention at Islamic Civilisation Park here, yesterday.

Hishammuddin said the programme was mooted by the ministry to achieve the target of 50% graduates amongst the 140,000 primary school teachers in the country by the year 2010.

The move was aimed at improving the quality of teachers and he hoped headmasters would encourage their teachers to take up the courses.

“If this programme has a significant impact, the ministry will extend it to benefit more teachers and will also increase the funds (for full scholarships), accordingly,” he said.

He said those who intend to pursue their studies on-line could also apply to do so.

Hishammuddin said the teachers who have completed their courses would be awarded Bachelor Degrees in Teaching (Primary Level).

“We have received good response from teachers since the ministry advertised in major newspapers about a week ago,” he said.

On a separate issue, Hishammuddin said he would be holding meetings with several key personnel from his ministry tomorrow, to look into the plight of partially aided Chinese, Tamil and missionary schools in the country.

We unveil a blueprint on how to aid these schools, especially those in rural areas and estates,” he added.