By Emellia Tamoh
KUCHING, July 2: It is of utmost importance that all educators, especially school leaders, discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively and with quality.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said it had been proven in many studies that the role of educators is crucial in determining the excellence of a school.
“Strong leadership is essential in ensuring positive outcomes in student learning. The most effective school leaders are not only managers but also instructional leaders who can transform their school environment.
“All school leaders are urged to embrace this mind shift and work towards the more holistic development of our children based on the six student aspirations as envisioned in the National Education Blue Print 2013-2025.
“This to produce future generations with knowledge, thinking skills, bilingual proficiency, leadership skills, ethics and spirituality, as well as a strong national identity,” the chief minister said at the 54th Education and Management Conference organised by Sarawak Secondary School Principal Association here today.
His text-of-speech was read out by Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong.
Abang Johari said the Malaysian education plan aimed to raise the country’s education to be on par with the international standards.
In order to achieve this, school leaders should focus on developing wholesome and balanced students with high moral standards, he advised.
“Our world is now facing a rapid pace of change driven by advances in information and communications technology. To take advantage of this force and bring benefits to Sarawak, we must adopt a strategic shift in our economic transformation.
“That is why the state develops its digital economy as a game changer for Sarawak’s future,” he said.
To keep abreast with the digital transformation agenda, he reminded the people to take advantage of the unprecedented economic development across the globe.
“Our workforce should not only concentrate on technical skills but also in English proficiency.
“English is the lingua franca of the Internet, where children and youths from all over the world communicate ideas, values and visions of a future that will affect them,” he added.
Abang Johari pointed out that proficiency in the English language is necessary to access information, understanding and adopting new technologies, exploiting opportunities in international economies, excelling in knowledge domains and succeeding in global markets.
He also encouraged principals and policy implementers to coordinate with the government in implementing policies enacted in the interests of the people and the future of Sarawak.
“Principals and government must share the same aims, the same aspirations to bring Sarawak to its glorious landmark,” he said.
The four-day conference (July 1-4), which gathered 193 principals from all over Sarawak, will address their issues as well as serve as a platform to share experiences on transformational school leadership. — DayakDaily
