RELIGIOUS TEACHERS IN MALAY SCHOOLS (Shortage and recruitment)

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Education how many teachers of religion in Malay Schools have been recruited this year and whether he is aware of the shortage of such teachers.

The Minister of State for Education (Inche A. Rahim Ishak) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has not recruited any religious teachers this year because the slight increase in the number of classes requiring instruction in Islamic religion has not necessitated the recruitment of any additional religious teachers.

As to the second part of the hon. Member's question, religious teachers are posted to schools based on the number of periods of Islamic religion taught in the schools. According to the teacher period ratio, there is no shortage of religious teachers.