Changes to education system won’t happen overnight, says Maszlee

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 18 Oct 2018 7:00AM · 5 Comments

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik says he is consulting stakeholders to improve the education system. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 18, 2018.

IT will take time before changes in the education system can be seen, said Dr Maszlee Malik.

The education minister said he has been given the mandate to increase English proficiency among youth, use science and technology to help learning and instil good values in pupils.

“I have already started working on these three areas but many are saying they can’t see anything. 

“All these can’t happen overnight. If I do anything drastic, the effects will be there for the next 20 to 30 years,” he said on TV3 last night. 

Maszlee said he has big shoes to fill as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was supposed to take on the education portfolio.

“There was no suitable candidate and also in the (Pakatan Harapan) manifesto, the prime minister cannot hold the education portfolio. 

“Dr Mahathir knows I’m an academic and the only one in the cabinet who is a lecturer. 

“He chose people for their position based on their experience.”

To achieve his mandate, Maszlee said he decided to allow stakeholders, such as the National Academic Advisory Council, who are experts in various fields to give their feedback. 

“Dr Mahathir also asked to get a pool of educators who are experts in their field and not in politics and from the government to evaluate our education system.

“In the next six months, these experts will give their report on how we can move forward.”

The Education Ministry has revived a national campaign to encourage Malaysians to read more. – EPA pic, October 18, 2018.

To increase English proficiency, there is the dual language programme and other policies but the experts will need to evaluate it, he said.

“There is no such thing as one size fits all. In Malaysia, the situation is different because we have a multiracial society. 

“That is why schools should be empowered to make their own decisions like in other progressive countries.”

The ministry has also revived the National Reading Campaign which will take place for the next 10 years. 

“In 2030, Malaysia could be one of the most read countries in the world. It is wishful thinking but it might come true.”

As for science and technology, Maszlee said by 2020, the internet capabilities in schools will reach 100% compared with the present rate of 98%.

“We will also be having more ethics classes to instil good values in our pupils.” – October 18, 2018.

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Comments

  • Well, nicely done. Should have announced this before the critics came out with gun blazing.

    Posted 7 years ago by Luke Skywalker · Reply

  • Agreed with you that changes cannot happen overnight but with your competency it will not happen in thousands of nights. Being an academician and a lecturer is a nice sing song for your credentials but being an educator with propensity to make real good effective changes and not being held in bondage by the 3Rs is totally a different ball game. Are you up to it ?????

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Will there be changes to the school syllabus? History is one such subject

    Posted 7 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • It may not happen overnight. But Maszlee, Ill tell you this:- if nothing significant happens within the next 6-2 months, youll become a liability to the PH govt
    And by significant - it dont include sock colour.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • PAKATAN HARAPAN GOVERNMENT BETTER FIND SOMEONE MORE SUITABLE FOR THE EDUCATION MINISTRY.GET SOMEBODY WHO IS MORE CLEVER TO MANAGE

    Posted 7 years ago by CHEE Meng Ng · Reply