Teacher Competence is not an Option in Primary School Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Teacher competency is not an option referring to teachers who teach subjects outside of their area of specialization. This phenomenon is becoming more pronounced in Malaysian primary schools, especially in rural areas and under-pupil schools (SKM). This study aimed to examine the level of competence of non-option teachers in teaching and learning, the challenges faced, and their impact on the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews involving ten non-option teachers from five primary schools. The findings show that teachers are not an option to face challenges in terms of content knowledge, pedagogy and motivation. The implications of the study suggest that continuous professionalism training interventions to improve teacher competence are not an option to ensure that the quality of education is not affected. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for stronger administrative support and mentoring systems to help these teachers adapt effectively to subjects beyond their specialization. It also recommends that the Ministry of Education review teacher placement policies to ensure a better match between teachers’ qualifications and the subjects they teach, especially in rural and under-enrolled schools.