THE Education Ministry said it is giving due attention to discussions on raising the salaries of teachers who have higher academic qualifications.

“We take the view (on recommendations to increase the salary of teachers with higher academic qualifications) seriously and the call to increase the salaries of civil servants as announced by the prime minister which will be the initial focus as soon as the country’s economy recovers,” Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said.

“We are currently under the radar of the discussion (the recommendation) and also in the context of raising teachers’ salaries and in terms of quality, meaning the integrity of the quality and service of teachers, this is our focus,” she told reporters today.

She said this after officiating the Seberang Perai Selatan Kita Madani Carnival in Sungai Duri, which was also attended by Penang Information Department director Sabri Said.

Fadhlina, who is also Nibong Tebal MP, said this when asked to comment on a newspaper report regarding the government being advised to raise the salaries of teachers with higher academic qualifications.

Secretary of the Education & Human Capital Cluster of the National Council of Professors Anuar Ahmad is reported to have said that currently the salary of teachers with a master’s degree and doctorate is the same and it is appropriate to review it.

He was also reported as saying that the government should provide incentives to teachers with higher qualifications so that they can feel the importance of continuing to study not only to increase their knowledge, but also to increase their salaries in the field they are engaged in. – Bernama, May 27, 2023.