SIBU: The Education Ministry will look into requests from teachers currently based in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah who want to return to Sarawak, says Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

       "There are only 50 vacancies available but we have received about 250 applications," said the Deputy Education Minister, adding that they were unable to fulfil all requests.

       He said this after attending a dialogue with the United Association of Chinese Primary Aided School Board of Management on Thursday (Dec 2).

       He said teachers in Peninsular Malaysia were facing the same issue.

       He gave the example of a teacher who wanted to return to Kuantan.

       "It was impossible to transfer him back as there were no vacancies in Kelantan. The best we could do was to send him nearer to his home such as in northern Perak or Pahang," he said.

       On the one-off intake of 18,702 teachers nationwide, he said the interview sessions which started on November 16 are halfway done.

       "The Education Service Commission will make an announcement on the successful candidates on Dec 6," he added.