Dewan Negara News In Brief: Dec 11

CO-TEACHING ONLY FOR SCHOOLS WITH SUFFICIENT TEACHERS

KUALA LUMPUR -- The team-teaching or co-teaching approach, which involves two teachers in one classroom, will be implemented flexibly only in schools that have adequate teaching staff.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said at the initial stage, the Ministry of Education will introduce the method for the new subject under the 2027 School Curriculum, which is "Alam dan Manusia: Pembelajaran Bersepadu” (Nature and Humanity: Integrated Learning), for Year One pupils.

“Once co-teaching is implemented, if one of the teachers goes on leave and there are constraints in obtaining a relief or temporary teacher, the other teacher can still continue to teach in that classroom,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to concerns raised by Senator Datuk Anna Bell @ Suzieana Perian regarding the potential issue of ‘shadowing’ or pressure on pupils if the two teachers involved in co-teaching are not aligned in their approach.

-- BERNAMA 

UNITY MINISTRY LAUNCHES RAKAN SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS TO REPORT BULLYING

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of National Unity has launched the National Public Community Complaints Network (RAKAN) initiative for students to report bullying incidents more effectively.

Deputy Minister of National Unity K. Saraswathy said the ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to expand the use of the system, which was introduced in June, to make it more accessible to school students.

“Young people or students who have been bullied can use this system because it already includes whistleblower protection, and they can upload photos. We also have a real-time dashboard to curb bullying activities,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli, who asked about efforts to expand the use of the RAKAN system to all relevant departments.

-- BERNAMA

3,227 NEW TEACHERS PLACED IN SARAWAK AS OF NOVEMBER 2025

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Dewan Negara was told today that 3,227 new teachers have been placed in Sarawak to meet the state's educational needs.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said that of the total, 1,078 teachers or 33.4 per cent have been assigned to rural schools, while the remaining 2,149 teachers or 66.6 per cent were sent to schools in other areas based on vacancies and the suitability of subject options according to schools and districts.

He said the teacher staffing rate across Sarawak is dynamic, reaching 98.42 per cent, while the placement rate for rural areas stands at 97 per cent as of November this year.

Wong said this in reply to a question from Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim regarding the percentage of new teacher placements in rural areas in Sarawak and the number of vacancies yet to be filled as of mid-year.

-- BERNAMA