PUTRAJAYA: Reviving the National Education Advisory Council and focussing on seven main thrusts will be the focus of the Education Ministry under the unity government.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the council would help the ministry to contribute new ideas in order to improve the country's education.
As for the seven main thrusts, she said it would be implemented to not only ensure better communication among all ministries but also among schools in the country.
"Other components of the thrusts includes good character building, welfare of teachers and addressing poverty among B40 students.
"I will emphasise on soft skills to incalcate good manners, morals and integrity in schools among students so that negative elements such as racism, bullying and gangsterism may be avoided.
"I will work on closely with the relevant ministries to ensure the issue of poverty that has a direct impact on children's education can be addressed accordingly," she told reporters here today.
Present were deputy education minister Lim Hui Ying, the ministry's chief secretary Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof and Education director-general Datuk Pkharuddin Ghazali.
Fadhlina said she would ensure that teachers were given the necessary professional support and focus on the issues faced by them such as heavy workloads and emotional stress as a result of staying apart from from their spouses.
"In order to reduce the bureaucratic gap in the affairs of teachers and students, complaints, suggestions and questions can be submitted directly through various official channels of the Ministry of Education, including the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA), AduBuli and the Customer Service Counters at the ministry.
"In the first week after taking office, I managed to visit some of the schools.
"I found that there are several aspects which needs improvement in the education system in delivering and learning process that we must review.
"Our aspiration is clear and everything we do must be looked into and analysed carefully," she said.
Fadhlina added the ministry will also continue implementing existing initiatives rolled out under the Malaysian Education Plan which ends in 2025.