SHAH ALAM, Sept 15 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for a revamp of the national education policy.
He said this follows the discovery that around 10,177 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates last year did not sit the exam, and problems with reading, writing, and arithmetic were among the issues identified.
The finding, he added, was obtained from discussions with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
“As a result, the education policy that does not include exams for Year Six (in primary schools) and Form Three (in secondary schools) and only has exams in Form Five must be revamped,” he said during his speech before officiating the 78th MIC General Assembly at Ideal Convention Centre here. Also present was MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran.
Zahid said education policies should remain consistent despite changes in government and leadership, to prevent students from becoming guinea pigs.
“Let the government and leaders change, but the national education policy must be structured so that our children do not become victims,” he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Vigneswaran urged the government to find ways to restore the image of the national education system, following many SPM graduates’ reluctance to pursue higher education.
He said the issue of students dropping out without registering for or sitting the SPM also raised concerns amid the country’s effort to achieve developed status.
Meanwhile, Zahid said the government had agreed to allocate part of the RM200 million for strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at two higher learning institutions (IPTs).
He said the needs-based allocation is meant for TAFE College and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.
"I will use part of the (allocation) approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this year (for TVET programmes at the two IPTs)," he said.
Previously, Anwar announced the government had approved an immediate allocation of RM200 million to strengthen youth participation in TVET.
Anwar said the additional allocation, which would be channelled through the Skills Development Fund Corporation, was intended to encourage TVET institutions to develop and enhance training programmes in line with current industry needs.
Earlier, Vigneswaran, in his speech, requested the implementation of special programmes and activities for 1,000 Indian youth who want to pursue TVET courses at TAFE College.
— Bernama
