By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 16: Malaysia’s education system must be designed to run for at least 50 years rather than being reset every five years with each change in government, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the education sector should not be subjected to frequent overhauls simply because a new minister wants to implement new policies or introduce their own legacy.
“Even though ministers may come and go, the education sector should no longer be seen within a five-year frame. That frame must be enlarged—not five years, but 50 years into the future,” he said when speaking during the National-level Teachers Day celebration held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Zahid criticised past changes that he claimed treated schools as experimental grounds, including policies such as changing the colour of school shoes or revamping the syllabus.
“I do not want teachers, students and pupils to be treated as test subjects for changes that, in the opinion of some top ministry leaders, are introduced just to create a legacy of their time. Enough. I repeat—teachers, students, and pupils are not test subjects,” he said firmly.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Zahid explained that his remarks came in reference to the tendency for education policies and syllabi to change with each new minister following general elections.
“If possible, maintain the current system and extend it for another two or three terms.
“I believe we should not create legacies for personal gain. Ultimately, teachers are victimised, and even more so, the students,” he added.
Also present were Federal Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, and Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. – DayakDaily
