Kuala Lumpur: The Government has been urged to continue offering the Kadazan Dusun Language (BKD) Bachelor’s Degree of Teaching Programme (PISMP) at the Kent Teachers’ Education Institute (IPG) in Tuaran.
Making the call, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said the intake for the course was advertised this year but none was offered to enrol for the course.
“No explanation was given by the Education Ministry about this matter,” he said in his debate speech at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here, Friday.
He said the cessation of the enrolment of trainee teachers for the BKD programme will further worsen the lack of trained BKD teachers that will affect the learning and teaching of the subject.
A survey found that the shortage of BKD teachers in primary and secondary schools throughout Sabah is critical, he said.
“This excludes Chinese vernacular schools that wish to offer BKD but face the problem of teacher shortage.
“The Government’s action to abruptly stop offering BKD courses is very inappropriate and unfair to the indigenous ethnic groups of Sabah, especially the Kadazan Dusun community.
“Therefore, I request that the Government provides a budget of RM1.5 million to cover at least 20 trainee teachers every year at Kent (IPG),” he said.
Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, in his reply, said starting 2021, IPGs offer Kadazan Dusun Language options for PISMP through special channels just like the candidate enrolment of Orang Asli, Malaysian Art Schools, Malaysian Sports Schools, Iban language and students with special needs to meet future needs.
He said the intake method was changed due to the annual enrolment of BKD candidates did not meet the set expectations.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
