Education: The Challenge for Malaysia!

Recently, the authorities expressed a keenness to secure feedback from the public on suitability of the education curricula. This is in the form of a survey. Although I laud such an approach, the deficiencies are almost common knowledge. Then there are activists and public interest groups like PAGE Malaysia or Teach Malaysia who advocate their viewpoints.

If I were to do this (from the Ministry), I will put-out a policy paper for debate after consulting some key interest groups, including politicians. This outlines the Madani Government’s framework for the future of education for Malaysia. Feedback from public will be useful to “tweak” the Plan.

Source: https://www.wikiimpact.com

The key problems in education as many are aware, include:

• Quality of teaching;

• Content of curricula;

• Objectives of a society in 30 year’s time;

• Environment and competition over the longer term; and

• Resources required – people, talent and financials

Upon having a broad framework then I am able to keep improving almost yearly to better assess outcomes and objectives. We can delve on the problems and go down a slippery slope or be creative and find a new pathway for the future. Some key points must be at the back of our minds, which are sacrosanct for the harmony of the nation:

• The Malay language is the principal and official language of the Federation;

• Vernacular schools are permitted with ingredients to form a unified nation; and

• Religious education for those of the Islamic faith (and civics course for others).

Beyond that, we need to gauge what essential skill sets are necessary for the future. To my mind it is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) that needs to be emphasised from a very young age to university. Currently about 15% of form four students took pure science subjects, namely physics, chemistry, biology and additional mathematics. The percentage has fallen from about 19% back in 2019. All those countries that have progressed faster than us (Taiwan or South Korea) emphasised STEM, created an environment for R&D to blossom and commercialise patents that were secured by citizens.

If we accept STEM, the other area to emphasise is language – Malay, English, Mandarin and/or Tamil. We need a minimum of three languages to trade and invest. Even Saudi Arabia is having Mandarin as a compulsory subject for secondary school students.

Next, we need to ponder on those subjects that maybe required in the future. Currently, the world is about data mining, coding, artificial intelligence and the like. Then we bespoke resources to meet our objectives which are monitored by way of public exams and merit-based advancement. Affirmative action is not lost but focused on the needy or the B40 group.

If we could do all that, then Malaysia is on a secure road to being competitive, innovative and advanced. God Bless Malaysia!

Reference:

Comment: Some badly needed changes in education system, P. Gunasegaram, Malaysiakini, 29 August 2023