DPM supports proposal on education commission
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed support for the suggestion of the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) for an education commission be established to strengthen the national education policy and to ensure its continuity.
He said such a commission was also needed to avoid changes or the introduction of new policies each time there was a change of education minister or higher education minister.
“I very much support the proposal to set up an education commission. We want to see it uphold the education policies that should be adhered to by any minister that takes over the education portfolio. The policies need not change with a change of minister.”
Ahmad Zahid said this when opening the 63rd annual general meeting of the GPMS, here, yesterday.
Earlier, in his speech, GPMS president Zambri Mohd Isa suggested the setting up of a commission to steer the national education system to be always consistent and on the right track.
Ahmad Zahid said the existing Education Services Commission only reviewed the education service schemes. Therefore, an education commission would be able to ensure that the national education agenda be achieved in the country’s vision of realising the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) plan, he said.
“Do not subject our pupils and students to ‘lab experiments’. They are not lab experiment specimens. They are the nation’s assets that should be empowered. There must be no personal agenda and narrow thinking in the education sphere,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister, said the GPMS’ agenda of championing Malay education did not mean that this non-governmental organisation was racist and disliked the other education systems in Malaysia’s plural society.
“This is not about fanning racial sentiments.
“But the reality is that in any country, the citizens need to uphold its constitution, while the rules, and culture and language should be upheld.Where there are cultural differences, we should respect the culture of others,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said differences of opinion should also be tackled based on the principles of the constitution.
Meanwhile, he also reminded past and future leaders in the GPMS to support and respect its current leaders.
“When others take over the leadership from us, we must not think that only our era was good and the current one is not. There should be no such attitude,” he said. — Bernama
We want to see it uphold the education policies that should be adhered to by any minister that takes over the education portfolio. — Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister