PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam has requested the Ministry of Education for at least 500 places for non-trained temporary teachers (GSTT) in Tamil schools to do school holiday courses (KDC) for this year.

Dr. Subramaniam, who is also MIC vice-president, said there were now more than 1,000 GSTT teachers in Tamil schools and most of them did not have degrees.

Through KDC, these temporary teachers could be absorbed into the teaching service permanently," he said.

"I hope the Ministry of Education will consider the request as these teachers have wide experience and are committed to their profession," Dr. Subramaniam said in a statement here today.

He said although many of these teachers did not have degrees they were interested in continuing their career as trained teachers.

According to him, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sept 28, had agreed in principle that 300 places be set aside for GSTT teachers from Tamil schools to do KDC courses this year.

However, Dr. Subramaniam said that given that there were about 1,000 such teachers in Tamil schools all over the country, he hoped the Education Ministry could take in at least 500 GSTT teachers in the KDC courses this year.

It is understood that the Education Ministry only offered 100 places for GSTT teachers with degrees to take the KDC courses this year.