Of this figure, 367 have passed Praxis 1 while 344 are already Praxis 2 compliant.
PSS has 338 highly qualified teachers or 68 percent of the total figure.
PSS human resource officer Ramon Diaz yesterday said they were still processing contracts and he expected changes in the total figure before Sept. 8, the first day of classes for public schools.
“We need a lot more than 494,” Diaz told Variety, adding that PSS needs 520-530 teachers.
He admitted, however, that because of the bad publicity about the CNMI — its troubled economy, unreliable power supply, as well as inadequate funding for education and essential services — PSS is having a hard time hiring off-island highly qualified teachers.
“The candidates we’re trying to bring here will see the news about the CNMI online,” he said.
He noted that the number of PSS off-island employees has been declining in the past three years — totaling only 35 to 40 in the last school year and only 15 as of July 29.
“Actually, our salary is not that bad for beginning teachers as we provide between $31,000 and $36,000, which we consider competitive,” Diaz said. “It is the cost of relocating them from off-island that involves huge expenses for the applicants. And they don’t want to live in unhealthy environment.”
This year, Diaz added, “I would be happy to have 25-30 off-island highly qualified teachers.”
