Give Education Minister room to continue reforms

WE read with bemusement comments that belittle the efforts of Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik in “Taking stock of misses and successes” ( StarBizweek, Dec 22).

The columnist wrote: “I would rate him 0/10. My learned friends from the dinner last night said I am too kind as they feel that he should get negative marks.”

We are perturbed by the lack of objectivity in this opinion piece.

It can be a little overwhelming for an academic to be thrown into the deep end and manage one of the most critical ministries under the current government.

Dr Maszlee would have a fairly steep learning curve, first to establish the gaps and pitfalls in the education system, from preschool through to tertiary education.

Next, he would need to establish a wide consultation base from amongst all stakeholders in order to tease out the way forward, cognisant of the promises made to the public as part of the election manifesto.

Finally, he would have to prioritise the implementation of the said reforms in view of the prevailing climate of cautious economic outlook and restricted funding.

Many years of mismanagement cannot be straightened out in six months even with good intentions.

Let’s take stock of what has actually been achieved. National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers have had their names taken off the no-travel list, the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 is in the process of being repealed, freedom of association and speech in universities have been reinstated, exams have been abolished for the first three years of primary school, political appointments for university chancellors have been nipped in the bud and there certainly has been an increase in attention and funding for schools in Sabah and Sarawak.

Sure, there have been a few gaffes along the way, but those in the know and academics believe that tangible reforms are actually being achieved.

Our fellow academic dinner buddies would certainly have given Dr Maszlee at least a 7/10 and are far more willing to give him the time and space to push through the reforms that we have all fought hard to put in place. PROF DR OMAR BIN YAAKOB Head of Education Cluster, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia DR NOOR AZLAN AHMAD ZANZALI Chairman, International Centre for Education Excellence PROF DR SAHRIM AHMAD Chairman, Persatuan Akademia Ikram ISHARUDIN ISMAIL Chairman, Persatuan Guru Besar Sekolah Islam Malaysia