DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi supports the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students’  (GPMS) suggestion that an education commission be formed to strengthen national education policy.

He said such a commission was also needed to avoid changes or the introduction of new policies each time there was a new education or higher education minister.

 Zahid said this when opening the 63rd annual general meeting of GPMS in Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier, in his speech, GPMS president Zambri Mohd Isa suggested the setting up of a commission to steer the national education system to be always consistent and on the right track. 

Zahid said the existing Education Services Commission only reviewed the  service schemes of teachers, but an education commission would be able to ensure that the national education agenda be achieved in the country’s vision of realising the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) plan.

“Do not subject our pupils and students to experiments. They are the nation’s assets that should be empowered. There must be no personal agenda and narrow thinking in the education sphere,” he added.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said GPMS’ agenda of championing Malay education did not mean that it was racist and disliked the other education systems in Malaysia’s plural society.

“This is not about fanning racial sentiments. But the reality is that in any country, citizens need to uphold their constitution, while the rules, culture and language should be upheld.

“Where there are cultural differences, we should respect the cultures of others.” Zahid said differences of opinion should also be tackled based on the principles of the constitution. – Bernama, November 25, 2017.