MINISTRY TO CORRECT MALE-FEMALE TEACHERS IMBALANCE

KLANG (Malaysia), May 26 (Bernama) -- The shortage of male teachers is one
of the biggest challenges faced by the Education Ministry as female trainees
make up three-quarter of the yearly intake, said its deputy minister, Dr Mohd
Puad Zarkashi.

"Most of the teachers posted to the rural areas are male. As such we need
more male teachers to be posted there," he told reporters after the Teachers'
Day celebration at a primary school here Monday night.

Mohd Puad said he would propose teachers to be compelled to serve in the
rural areas for a certain number of years.

"This would deter them from applying for a transfer after only six months as
well as to avoid teachers from being stationed for too long in the rural areas.

"I am aware of the problems faced by teachers working in the rural areas. I
had come across a female teacher climbing a tree to get a better reception on
her mobile phone to speak to her husband," said Mohd Puad.
-- BERNAMA