KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 19,179 primary and secondary school teachers opted for early retirement between 2022 and May this year, with most citing a loss of interest in teaching.
Deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh told the Dewan Rakyat that 5,306 teachers retired early in 2022, followed by 6,394 in 2023, 5,082 in 2024, and 2,397 as of May 2025.
Wong said a loss of interest in teaching was cited by 67.44% of teachers in their applications for optional early retirement.