In a statement, Teo also said many schools were facing a shortage of manpower as some teachers were ordered to undergo home quarantine.

She urged the government to fulfil its promise to add more temporary teachers to fill this need.

Teo said the introduction of the MySTEP programme by the government had been a failure.

Under this programme, 35,000 jobs were to be offered in the public sector, with priority to fill up positions such as nurses, medical attendants, social welfare officers and temporary teachers.

“Many teachers also face extra workload and burden after home-based learning was implemented,” Teo said.

Meanwhile, the Kulai MP also asked the government to expedite vaccinations for all teachers.

Teo said 83 Covid-19 clusters, involving 4,868 cases, were detected in the education sector after students were allowed back in schools in January.

“Priority should be given to all teachers for Covid-19 vaccination before schools reopen in June,” Teo said.

She added although 55,539 teachers with co-morbidities in government schools under the education ministry were included in the first phase of the immunisation programme, teachers in institutions managed by other government agencies and private schools were left out.

Teo also urged the government to offer a teaching programme course for appointed interim teachers for them to obtain their teaching diplomas.

She said in order to solve the shortage of teachers, the health ministry under Pakatan Harapan had recruited 690 interim teachers.

“The contracts of these interim teachers are going to expire on Feb 14 next year. The Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM) has yet to offer the diploma programme to them,” she said.

Teo said these interim teachers had to undergo a diploma in teaching conducted by IPGM during the school holidays in order to qualify for a permanent post.

“To celebrate Teachers’ Day, the education ministry should offer the course to them without any delay,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) has urged the government, especially the education ministry, to upgrade the education curriculum to meet the current needs of the country.

STU said the curriculum should also take into account the current Covid-19 situation, which includes home-based learning, assessment tools and procedures.

“We also hope that the education ministry would continue to upgrade the teachers’ working and living environment,” it said.

STU also said upgrading of school buildings and facilities should be given priority for students in rural areas to have a conducive learning environment.

It hoped internet accessibility issues would also be resolved soon.