Hajiji receiving AI-powered digital learning device from Samasama Works Sdn Bhd.
KOTA KINABALU: The Education Service Commission (SPP) has deployed 1,000 new teachers to schools across Sabah this year, comprising 315 for primary schools and 685 for secondary schools.
SPP Chairman Dato’ Haji Adzman Talib said the placements are part of the 21,348 Education Service Officers (Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan, PPP) required nationwide in 2025 as determined by the Education Ministry.
“As of June 30, Sabah’s teacher placement rate has reached 97.78 per cent, with 44,058 teachers assigned compared to 45,057 approved posts across 1,298 schools under the Education Ministry,” he said during a briefing to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor at Menara Kinabalu here yesterday.
Adzman noted that despite the high placement rate, some schools in Sabah still face shortages, but continuous efforts are being made to close the gap.
He said a key challenge is the rising number of teachers opting for early retirement. In 2024, 12,607 teachers nationwide retired early compared with 13,192 in 2023. In Sabah alone, 947 cases were recorded last year, up from 813 in 2023.
Administrative workload and overlapping demands brought by digitalisation were among the main reasons teachers chose to leave the profession early, he added.
“SPP is working closely with the Education Ministry to develop comprehensive solutions to sustain the teaching workforce,” said Adzman.
He also commended the State Government under Hajiji’s leadership for strengthening educational excellence through various initiatives and support for schools and students in Sabah.
Hajiji, in turn, expressed appreciation for SPP’s efforts in appointing competent teachers to meet the nation’s education needs.
Also present during the courtesy visit were SPP member from Sabah Datin Seri Dr Hajah Nuinda Haji Alias; SPP secretary Md. Radzi Hassim; and Sabah Branch Secretariat section secretary Intan Zainab Mohd Bustan.
In a separate event, the Chief Minister was given a demonstration of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital education innovation by Albert Yek, director of local company Samasama Works Sdn Bhd.
Albert said the collaboration with the Sabah Education Department aims to introduce AI-powered digital learning tools to schools across the state, with an initial 100 units to be distributed.
Also present were Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Sabah Education Director Datuk Raisin Saidin and senior officers from several related departments.
