Non-education grads invited to apply as MOE opens 20,000 DG9 contract teacher positions from 2pm today

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2, 2026 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced the opening of 20,000 new positions for Education Service Officers Grade DG9 on a contract of service (CoS) basis in primary schools nationwide, with applications starting from 2pm today.

According to an official announcement on the MOE website, the online application portal will remain open until March 20, 2026. Prospective candidates can visit the ministry’s designated registration site for details and submission.

The recruitment initiative allows non‑education graduates to apply, marking a broader eligibility compared with traditional teaching job requirements. Eligible applicants must be Malaysian citizens and possess at least a credit in Bahasa Melayu at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) level.

Only candidates meeting the criteria will be invited to sit for the Teacher Candidate Eligibility Test (UKCG) and attend subsequent interviews. Successful applicants will be required to undertake teacher training at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) at their own expense during the contract period to develop professional competencies in teaching.

In January, the Education director‑general, Mohd Azam Ahmad, said the recruitment drive is part of the ministry’s preparations for the implementation of the Malaysia Education Plan (RPM) 2026–2035 and is also aligned with plans for the voluntary enrolment of six‑year‑old pupils into Year 1 beginning next year.

“The recruitment process for new teachers has received full cooperation from the Education Service Commission (SPP),” he said, outlining the timeline of the exercise: announcement on Feb 23, application period from March 2 to March 20, 2026, and interview screening from April 27 to May 14, 2026.

To ensure the quality and competency of teachers, selected candidates will undergo professional training across various specialisations at IPG.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously announced that voluntary Year 1 enrolment for six‑year‑old pupils would begin next year, prompting the need to expand the teaching workforce.

According to MOE statistics, there are currently more than 416,000 teachers serving in the public education sector. Since 2023, the ministry has placed 52,948 new teachers to fill vacancies across the country. There are 10,233 schools nationwide, of which 3,164 are under‑enrolled schools categorized under the national system.