Ministry to listen to stakeholders to boost quality of education
PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry will adopt a bottom-up approach while listening to all stakeholders to achieve the goal of improving the country’s education system.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said only through consultations and discussions with various parties representing all levels of society could the ministry collate constructive views and inputs.
He said the ministry would try to meet as many stakeholders in the education sector as possible to deliver quality education, especially with the merger of both the Education and the Higher Education ministries.
Dr Maszlee said the approach had been practised since he came on board in May.
“Regardless of whether they are housewives, labourers, parents and professors, we have to talk to them. All opinions and views will be taken into account. We are also getting the writers (sasterawan) involved.
“By having a mutual discussion, we can achieve common ground.
“We may not be able to accept all the views, but at least we listen to them,” he said after chairing a meeting with representatives of the National Education National Education Reform Initiative and Civil Society Organisations for Education Reform here yesterday.
The ministry recently formed a National Education Policy Review Committee and appointed a member of the National Education Advisory Council, he said.
In that regard, Dr Maszlee said the ministry would use an inclusive approach to decide on matters regarding the national education system.
“We will continue to hold discussions with all parties, including political bodies, and everyone will have a role to ensure that our country has a holistic education system in the interest of the people and nation,” he said.
More than 30 delegates attended the session yesterday where they presented issues and recommendations to the ministry.
These included the need for quality primary and secondary education, increasing the number of qualified teachers, eliminating discrimination in the national education system and providing equal access to quality preschool education.
Also raised was providing equitable vocational, technical and high education to all, and boosting leadership in educational institutions.
Present were the Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Gazali Abas and Higher Education director-general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir.