This study investigated the factors contributing to the shortage of qualified teachers in Malaysia, with a specific focus on the early childhood education sector. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews featuring open-ended questions were conducted with 30 purposively sampled teachers from private schools. This approach allowed participants to share their candid insights into the challenges they face. The analysis was based on Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, which distinguishes between motivators (intrinsic) and hygiene (extrinsic) factors that influence job satisfaction and retention. Findings reveal that the shortage of qualified educators is driven by a combination of issues, including inadequate pay, limited opportunities for professional development, long working hours, high workloads, unfavourable staff-to-child ratios. These factors collectively reduce job satisfaction and motivation, leading to attrition and difficulty attracting new talent. The study underscores the need for comprehensive strategies—such as improving compensation, increasing professional growth opportunities, and reducing non-teaching workloads—to address the root causes of teacher shortages and ensure a sustainable, high-quality early childhood education workforce in Malaysia.
Ahmad, M., & Wilkins, S. (2024). Purposive sampling in qualitative research: A framework for the entire journey. Quality & Quantity, 1-19.
Adams, D., & Tan, K. L. (2022). Malaysian education system: Progress, standards and aspirations. In Education in Malaysia (pp. 1-18). Routledge.
Allsop, D. B., Chelladurai, J. M., Kimball, E. R., Marks, L. D., & Hendricks, J. J. (2022). Qualitative methods with Nvivo software: A practical guide for analyzing qualitative data. Psych, 4(2), 142-159.
Aziz, N. A. A., Zakaria, N. H., Hashim, E., Mohamad Rasli, R., Saari, E. M., Mustafa, M. C., & Yassin, S. M. (2021). Issues in Operating Childcare Centers in Malaysia. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 10(3), 993-1000.
Basalamah, S. A. (2021). The role of work motivation and work environment in improving job satisfaction. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 1(2), 94-103.
Bristle, L. (2023). Influence of motivator and hygiene factors on excellent teachers: A descriptive study (Doctoral dissertation, Grand Canyon University).
Foong, L., Veloo, P. K., Dhamotharan, M., & Loh, C. (2018). Private sector early childcare and education in Malaysia: workforce readiness for further education. Kajian Malaysia: Journal of Malaysian Studies, 36(1).
Ibrahim, B. B., Abdullahi, A., & Ringim, I. I. (2025). Early Childhood Educators in Promoting Quality ECCE Students: A Case Study Jigawa State. Jurnal Riset Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 5(1), 52-64.
Ihensekien, O. A., & Joel, A. C. (2023). Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Frederick Herzberg’s two-factor motivation theories: Implications for organizational performance. The Romanian Economic Journal, 85, 32-49.
Ilie, S., Rose, P., & Vignoles, A. (2021). Understanding higher education access: Inequalities and early learning in low and lower?middle?income countries. British Educational Research Journal, 47(5), 1237-1258.
Jomuad, P. D., Antiquina, L. M. M., Cericos, E. U., Bacus, J. A., Vallejo, J. H., Dionio, B. B., ... & Clarin, A. S. (2021). Teachers’ workload in relation to burnout and work performance.
Kong, K. (2023). Early childhood education in Malaysia. In International Handbook on Education in Southeast Asia (pp. 559-590). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Ling, T. E. (2023). A Study of Preschool Teachers’ Perceived Stress And Their Job Satisfaction (Doctoral dissertation, UTAR).
Lopes, A., Folque, A., Marta, M., & de Sousa, R. T. (2024). Teacher professionalism towards transformative education: insights from a literature review. Professional development in education, 50(5), 832-846.
Ridza, N. S. M., Ahmad, Y., & Vadeveloo, (2024). T. EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (ECCE) IN MALAYSIA: THE TALENT GAP.International Journal for Studies on Children, Women, Elderly and Disabled, Vol. 22, (Dec.)
Rumbidzai, T., & Achebe, M. (2023). Exploring the Role of Early Childhood Education in Shaping Children's Future Development. Educia Journal, 1(2), 27-35.
Ryu, S., & Jinnai, Y. (2021). Effects of monetary incentives on teacher turnover: A longitudinal analysis. Public Personnel Management, 50(2), 205-231.
Stutterheim, S. E., & Ratcliffe, S. E. (2021). Understanding and addressing stigma through qualitative research: Four reasons why we need qualitative studies. Stigma and Health, 6(1), 8.
Olatunji, S. O., Oyegoke, D. A., Babalola, O. M., & Adeyanju, C. T. (2024).The Impact of Teacher Quality on Early Childhood Education Outcomes: a Study of the Relationship between Teacher Professional Development and Student Achievement in Preschool Settings in Ibadan South West Local Government.
Yang, X., Abdul Rahman, M. N., & Sun, Y. (2025). The impact of teachers’ qualifications on development outcomes in early childhood: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Early Years Education, 1-20.
Ngadni, I., & Sammy, J. (2025). Understanding the Causes Behind the Shortage of Qualified Early Childhood Educators in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(6), 144–156.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
