Education Minister informs students intending to take teaching as their area of study to choose wisely

Minister for Education Premila Kumar says they are informing students who have passed Year 13 and are looking to apply for a programme of study, that the Ministry has a shortage of teachers in selected areas, and students should make informed decisions on which programme of study they wish to take.

Kumar says there is a shortage of teachers in Special and Inclusive Education, Early Childhood Education and Primary teaching, and in Secondary Schools, the Ministry has a shortage of teachers in Maths, Physics, Computing, Physical Education, Music, Art and Craft and Industrial Arts.

The Minister says although, interest is an important part in making this decision, it is essential that the qualification obtained at the end of the students’ studies, will secure a job for them.

Kumar says ultimately, a job is an essential part of progressing in life so she urges students that it is not too late even now to relook at the programme they wish to enrol in.

The Education Minister says there is a surplus of teachers in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Accounting, Economics, Language and Literature, Geography, Home Economics, Agriculture and History who are still looking for teaching positions.

She says this is what happens when we have a lot more graduates than what can be employed.

Kumar says this is why the Ministry wishes to inform students intending to take teaching as their area of study to choose wisely.

The Minister says the 2022 TELS regulations 10 (8) states ‘if the quota is not reached for a Scheme, the Service (TSLS) must lower the cut-off mark to reach the quota.’ She says for example, the Engineering category quota for TELS is 300 awards with the cut-off marks of 280.

The Education Minister says in the event, the 300 award quota is not filled with 280 marks after assessment, TSLS will lower the cut-off mark to meet the quota.

She says where the TELS category quota is filled with 280 cut-off mark, TSLS will not lower the cut-off mark.

The TELS regulations 10 (3) states where the number of applicants for each Scheme exceeds the quota, the applications should be processed based on the date of submission from the earliest submitted to the last until the quota is reached.

Kumar says TELS must raise awareness on the Regulations that govern TELS and National Toppers awards.

She says this will help students and their families to understand how the schemes are delivered by TELS.

The Education Minister also says the Government has also allocated 5,000 awards for TVET programmes which is being administered by TSLS.