THE Ministry of Education will focus on the multidimensional poverty issues of children from B40 families, including in terms of malnutrition, devices and learning space, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said today.

“I will also work closely with the relevant agencies to address the issue of family poverty, which has a direct impact on children’s education,” she said at the ministry in Putrajaya today.

Fadhlina said the ministry would also pay attention to the issue of dropouts (lost generation) as well as literacy and numeracy problems, so that the education gap that exists can be bridged besides focusing on the welfare of teachers.

As such, she said she was aiming to give teachers the necessary professional support and focus on the issues faced by them, such as heavy workloads and the stress of staying apart from their spouses.

Additionally, she said the ministry will also increase the digital education capability in schools, with the ministry holding engagement sessions with the central agency.

Making communications between the ministry and schools more efficient and transparent; giving emphasis to the aspect of human dignity through the formation of manners, morals and integrity; and focusing on efforts to renovate and upgrade dilapidated schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, are also on the agenda.

The Nibong Tebal MP also announced that the ministry will continue implementing existing policies and improve the delivery process to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.

She also admitted that managing public expectations was a challenge the ministry would have to shoulder to ensure a fair meeting point becomes a reality by the unity government. – Bernama, December 15, 2022.