'We are elevating education to higher level'

By ROY GOH | roygoh@nst.com.my

HIGH INCOME GOAL: Challenge is to ensure more knowledgeable workforce in future

RANAU: TRANSFORMATION plans set by the government to elevate the education system in Malaysia will take on a new challenge.

As the country runs the stretch to becoming a high income, developed nation, educators will need to churn out a breed of knowledgeable citizens who are now their students in school.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday this was why he ordered a review of the education system to allow the transformation plans set by the Barisan Nasional government to fall into place.

A report on the review is expected to be completed before the end of the year and implementation will roll off next year.

"It is already a good system but we need to elevate to a new level and be on a par with developed countries," he said when launching SMK Ranau and handing over a plot of land for Institut Aminuddin Baki (IAB), a training centre aimed at improving the quality of educators in Kota Kinabalu, about 120km from here.

Muhyiddin, who was here with his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, was accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, state Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Said, state ministers and other BN leaders.

He said the BN government had set a path to become a developed nation by 2020 and this was a promise "written in black and white", not empty talk like what the opposition had pledged.

"Our challenge lies in producing educated citizens and to do that we need trained human resources and proper infrastructure with all the right elements such as skilled teachers and curriculum. We are halfway there but as of now it is not as ideal as how we want it."

Muhyiddin said since the country gained independence, the BN government had emphasised on education by making it one of the key agendas.

"This is reflected in the large allocation of 26 per cent set aside in this year's RM202 million budget."

Muhyiddin pointed out that the opening of the RM39 million school and plans to develop IAB were among the many projects that would contribute to producing better citizens and educators.

He also announced an allocation of RM10.4 million to seal the Kibbas-Lipasu road, RM600,000 to build a new steel bridge at Kampung Wallou, RM100,000 for the Al-Kauthar mosque in Lohan and RM10,000 each for four organisations and a religious body, the Sidang Injil Borneo Church group.

Meanwhile, Musa said the opening of the IAB would further help improve the quality of teachers in the state through its programmes.

He also assured that the state government was fully committed towards the development of education in the state to ensure its youths were given all the opportunity to obtain the best skills and knowledge from the various institutions.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being greeted by retired teachers at a 1Borneo function in Kota Kinabalu yesterday. At left is Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. being briefed on the heritage room by Pic by Edmund Samunting

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'We are elevating education to higher level'

HIGH INCOME GOAL: Challenge is to ensure more knowledgeable workforce in future

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