Guide To A Primary School Teacher Career Path

Primary education is the beginning of a child’s learning journey and prepares them for upcoming stages of education and life. Building a strong foundation calls for a teacher to guide students to achieve optimum personal, social, and emotional development. With this, a primary school teacher career path can take more than just knowledge and skills. To be one is to have a passion for helping your students learn and love learning. 

Responsibilities of Primary School Teachers

Before COVID-19, primary school teachers in Malaysia mostly worked within classrooms. There might also be external engagements such as attending conferences or meeting with other education professionals.

But as the pandemic continues and with the recent surge in cases, the Ministry of Education required schools to transition to home-based learning and teaching. While there are significant changes in where and how they work, these are some of the primary school teachers' tasks.

• Prepare lesson plans and learning resources aligned with the syllabus, curriculum objectives, and school system
• Provide young learners with basic knowledge and competencies on a variety of subjects
• Encourage creative and imaginative learning 
• Apply modern teaching methods to keep students engaged
• Offer academic and emotional support to pupils
• Create, administer, and grade assessments such as activities, quizzes, and other performance-based tasks to monitor student learning
• Help pupils develop essential intellectual, artistic, and social skills
• Communicate student progress with parents, guardians, and administrators through parent-teacher conferences and other meetings
• Maintain an orderly, safe, and positive learning environment 
• Organise and participate in school events and extra-curricular activities 
• Follow school policies and other institutional regulations
• Implement changes and developments in syllabus and curriculum
• Utilise recommended teaching and learning tools

Salary Range

According to JobStreet Salary Insights, primary teachers’ average salary is RM2,300, while the most common is RM1,100. Data also shows that your pay depends on your experience, skills, specialisation, and location. 

The average annual salary, according to Payscale, is quite close but still higher. With RM34,981 per year, the monthly rate can be around RM2,900. Experience and skills are also top factors for a higher salary quote and increase. 

Career Path Of Primary School Teacher

Primary school teachers’ career paths commonly start with teaching roles and can move up to more senior teaching positions with leadership responsibilities. Here are jobs you might want to apply for.

Junior Level (1-3 years experience)

• Primary Teacher
• Classroom Teacher
• Homeroom Teacher

Mid Level (4-8 years experience) 

• Senior Primary Teacher
• Lead Teacher
• Master Teacher

Senior level (8 years or more) 

• Head Teacher
• Deputy Head Teacher
• Principal

Requirements To Become A Primary School Teacher

Required skills

• Technical

With online or home-based learning and teaching, it matters more now to be familiar with video conferencing applications and other digital devices that will help in conducting smoother and more effective teaching sessions.

• Communication

A primary school teacher should be an excellent communicator and presenter. Not just through eloquent writing or speaking, but it should be so that pupils will easily grasp the topics and subject work.

• Organisation

You need to be able to multitask and stay on top of different types of work. Be systematic in handling your classes. Efficiently balance your time between lesson preparations, grading, paperwork, and other assigned tasks.

• Leadership

Be an effective leader who can manage your class, build a good relationship with your pupils, and take charge of school activities or requirements. Be a guide and a role model in promoting excellent teamwork to ensure success in your other tasks.

• Adaptability

Be ready to adjust, respond, and act accordingly to any changes, including learning the new ways of teaching, being flexible to students’ needs, and facing and overcoming different challenges.

• Creativity and Innovation

Know what you are teaching and find ways to teach them using exciting and engaging strategies so students continue to enjoy learning and even taking assessments.

• Self-Evaluation

In teaching, you are not just assessing your pupils’ progress, but your ability and growth as a teacher as well. Make it a habit to reflect on your best practices, improve your methodologies, and connect meaningfully with your students.

• Patience 

Primary schoolers can be difficult to handle. You need to be patient and talk to them politely but with authority. Be understanding when they are having a hard time following lessons and tasks.

• Passion and dedication

Love what you teach and make them appreciate the beauty of learning. Show students that you care about who they are and who they will be. Help them overcome any challenges and celebrate their victories.

Educational background

If you want to start a primary teaching career in Malaysia, you should obtain a Diploma in Education or a Degree in Education specialising in Primary Education. You may also enrol in a Postgraduate Certification or a Master’s Degree and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program to further enhance your teaching abilities, upgrade your salary, and qualify for senior management or administrative roles.

Required certification and training

There are no required licenses to teach in Malaysia. However, you need to acquire excellent grades, pass mandatory exams, and undergo preparatory programs before entering a university to get an education degree. 

• Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)

The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is an exam taken by secondary students in Malaysia to assess their eligibility to enter the higher education level. 

Passing your SPM is a required step to pre-university level or undergo programs offered by the Ministry of Education to qualify you to take an education degree. An excellent SPM result can also help you get scholarships.

• Certificate of Completion of PPISMP

Suppose you passed Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and plan to teach at public primary schools. In that case, you may undergo the Program Persediaan Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perguruan (PPISMP) or a one-year preparatory program for Bachelor of Teaching Program or Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perguruan (PISMP). A certificate is awarded after passing the program.

• Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perguruan (PISMP)

Once passed the PPISMP, you may now proceed to take the 4-year Bachelor of Teaching Program or Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perguruan (PISMP).  After finishing the program, you will receive a degree in education and can now teach in government public schools.

Opportunities for Continuous Education

• Enrol in postgraduate studies 

Keep up with contemporary teaching practices and methods to become a better expert educator.

• Take teaching development courses and training

Hone your skills and stay updated with the latest teaching strategies.

• Attend online educational conferences 

Grab the opportunity to connect with experts and learn about current global education trends.

How to write a primary school teacher resume?

Download the primary school teacher free resume template here

Primary teaching is challenging as it is fulfilling. The success of the primary school teacher’s career path can greatly depend on your ability to guide and share knowledge, commitment to helping your students grow in studies and life, and motivation to be the best teacher you can be.

Make your way towards the primary school teacher career path by updating your JobStreet profile and find teaching #JobsThatMatter. Check out our Career Resources for more expert advice on creating passionate and purpose-driven career paths.