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KUCHING, July 11: The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) recently held a workshop on ‘Education Autonomy for Sarawak’ to deliberate on ways to revolutionise the quality of Sarawak’s education system.
According to a TSI press release, 150 selected educationists and educators, stakeholders, retired principals and teachers, and interested individuals gathered at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here for a closed workshop, contributing ideas and participating in dialogues with the sole objective of shaping a better future education policy for Sarawak.
“TSI, a non-profit civil society, will submit its findings from the two-day workshop to the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in hope that it would be incorporated into the Sarawak education policy.”
“At times, we thought that our politicians were not doing enough to demand the restoration of Sarawak’s rights in terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and related documents. One very pressing matter is the question of education.
“What do Sarawakians really want in terms of education for their children? It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel. We just ask, ‘Are there any cogs missing in that wheel?’” said TSI chairman Sidi Munan in a speech when opening the event on July 4, according to the press release.
Sidi stated that TSI has been exploring the idea of grooming young Sarawakian leaders since its inception three years ago.
“We think that a Sarawakian aspiring to be a political leader or statesman must attain a high level of education—quality education, relevant skills, correct aptitude and attitude. When a leader is entrusted with the management of the affairs and resources of Sarawak, one must be honest with integrity.
“A good leader when entrusted with positions of trust will be able to manage the wealth and resources of Sarawak, so that Sarawakians will enjoy a healthy and robust economy,” he explained.
Sidi added that the sum total of these leadership attributes will produce what he deemed ‘The Sarawak Identity’.
“TSI has carried out a leadership training programme for aspiring leaders in Sarawak over the past two years, where lectures and talks on many diverse topics were conducted by prominent experts in their fields.
“The aim was to build a core of future Sarawak leaders who are versed in the history of Sarawak and the formation of Malaysia, as well as keen on personal development through various forms of interactions such as debates and keeping abreast with global affairs.”
Sidi added that these individuals must be capable of diagnosing and resolving problems, as well as keeping abreast of government policies and, at times, being critical of them without fear or favour, while remaining constructive and professional.
“Four papers were delivered prior to the workshop. The first paper ‘Federal-State Constitutional Relationship: Sarawak’s Quest for More Education Autonomy’ by Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi. The second paper ‘State’s Autonomy over Education under the Federal Constitution, MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report’ by Dato Sri JC Fong. The third paper ‘Education from a global perspective’ by Datuk Amar Michael Manyin and the fourth paper ‘Challenges in Sarawak Education System’ by Dr Abdul Rahman Deen.
“Participants provided their ideas from decades of experience in education and looked at the challenges in our education system and provided suggestions against a backdrop of the global perspectives on the education system of the 21st century especially that implemented in Singapore, Finland, Canada, Shanghai, and Australia.
“Topics discussed included the provisions in MA63, IGC Report, areas in education under the federal constitution and education act, where Sarawak could obtain autonomy, as well as challenges in key areas affecting education quality in Sarawak such as curriculum delivery, human resources, teaching and learning environment, and funding among others.” — DayakDaily
