Maszlee must continue to contribute to education issues

DR Maszlee Malik’s exit is a sad thing. Ever since the former Education Minister proposed the transition to streamless schools, there have been wide-ranging feedback from various quarters.

To put things in perspective, Finland’s education system, for instance, is considered to be one of the best in the world and it does not have the streaming system.

Education, as Dr Maszlee puts it, should not be compartmentalised but integrated.

Dr Maszlee endured many challenges, as he was handling two ministries at the same time, the other being higher education. The absence of a second deputy Education Minister also contributed to his workload.

The Minister himself admitted that it was not easy for him — as an academic activist with a non-political background — to helm the Ministry. He did not lose his momentum at any one time. In fact, his clarion call is thought-provoking.

Change ourselves before introducing change in schools and institutions of higher learning. We cannot carry out reforms in silo.

Not a single politician in the context of Malaysia Baru or Malaysia Lama made this a priority other than Dr Maszlee.

He spoke to schoolchildren to find out first-hand what needed to be done. That he decided to begin his efforts with school children is testimony to his unselfish ways.

A love for education, the quality of education, the autonomy of educational institutions, accommodating disabled children and elevating TVET (technical and vocational education and training) are all gamechangers in the world of education.

It is regrettable that the education system is dictated by politics instead of a desire to solve education issues. A government backbencher in the Dewan Rakyat, Dr Maszlee can still play a monitoring role in education issues.