FOR a country, education is the seed of its future, critical to reducing poverty and inequality. It plays a vital role in spurring sustainable and viable economic growth. In the face of changing economic landscapes and intense global competition, education is one of the most important investments a country can make.
Newly appointed Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said getting an education can no longer be a mere paper chase as it involves initiatives to develop holistic, entrepreneurial and balanced individuals who can forge forward despite the challenges of the time.
Therefore, education is the single most important sector that needs to be strengthened in Malaysia right now, he stressed.
The good news, Idris remarked, is the strengthening process does not start from zero but instead is well on its way upwards — with guidance from the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 (Preschool to Post-Secondary Education) and Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education).
“Never before have we been so serious in putting things in order. The blueprints were developed through a collaborative process with input from various stakeholders in education. They are comprehensive and look into everyone’s welfare in the sector. They also build linkages between the school and higher education sector. With these blueprints in place, our education system is assured of staying on track notwithstanding future changes in leadership at the ministerial level. It will steer education in the country until 2025 with the goal of being in the top one-third of nations in the world for education,” he added.
While acknowledging the process will take some time, Idris assured that things are improving, taking shape and are soaring upwards.
"However, Malaysia needs to move from a higher education system with a primary focus on university education as the sole pathway to success, to one where academic and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pathways are equally valued and cultivated. And efforts are underway towards this, he said.
Read the details of the interview Idris had with Learning Curve exclusively in the print edition of New Sunday Times on August 2.