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Making education a priority Stakeholders bring up the issues that they want newly appointed Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik to look into and solve. > 6 & 7

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By REBECCA RAJAENDRAM, SANDHYA MENOIM and LEE CHONGHUI [email protected] Ready to serve DR MASZLEE MALIK was relatively unknown until Tun Dr decided the Prime Minister could not hold Newly appointed Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik the Education portfolio as well. When Dr Maszlee was named the 19th heeds to know what has to be done to bring Education Minister, the public was confused as to why he was appointed, particularly improvements and changes to the sector. among parents and academics - the biggest stakeholders in the education sector. It did not help matters that he has suppos- EDUCATION MINISTER edly been in support of controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik. | . Dr Maszlee Malik Since then, Dr Maszlee has insisted that he did not support the content of what Dr B| Education background: Zakir said but was in support of the preach- 8 1 er's right to freedom of speech. •Mfc"* * > Bachelor's degree in There was even a petition in favour of Dr Mahathir as the minister because Dr jurisprudence) and usul al-fiqh Maszlee was seen as an Inappropriate (principles of Islamic jurisprudence) choice. from Al al-Bayt University, Jordan and On May 22, Dr Maszlee told , in Master's in same subject from Universiti response to those critics, that "being reli- Malaya gious is not a crime." > Doctorate in the field of Good Just three days earlier, Bangi MP Dr Ong Governance from University of Durham, Kian Ming has spoken up in support of Dr United Kingdom Maszlee's appointment in response to crit- > Other positions: Simpang Renggam ics citing his alleged "support" for Dr Zakir. MP, board member of Ideas Autism Centre, adviser of Teach For The Needs "Firstly, his CV is impressive and he should not be pigeonholed as 'just' an 'Islamic scholar'," said the DAP parliamen- tarian, citing Dr Maszlee's background from Tan says NUTP wants to meet with Dr Maszlee In 2011, it was announced that students his profile page on the Institute for soon to discuss pressing matters affecting who have started learning Science and Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas). teachers. Mathematics in English will continue to do The former International Islamic so until they complete their studies in University Malaysia lecturer and Assistant ministry, from students in schools to exams, Form Five. Professor in the Department of Political teachers' workload, bullying, English profi- Faridah says that when the policy was Science, though surprised by the appoint- ciency, soft skills to the needs of the higher overturned, it left teachers frustrated and ment himself, promised to give his all dur- education industry. students confused. ing his tenure. "We must have a policy to encourage our During his maiden address to all depart- Of ongoing policies and changes students to use more English to expose Dr Maszlee clocks in for the first time at the Education Ministry in on Tuesday. ment and section heads at the ministry after them to the world. clocking in for the first time last Tuesday, SMK Kuala English teacher "Many of our students have a weak said the Government Faridah Kassim hopes the ministry will grasp of the language, and do not know "Students are then unable to understand know how to react to situations and apply would give special attention to the educa- consider bringing back a policy similar to how to express their thoughts and ideas. and follow what's happening. that in their answers," she says. tion sector, which is seen as an important the Teaching and Learning of Science and "Initiatives like PPSMI is a way to "It is vital to ensure our teachers are Aliya feels that the curriculum is still too pillar to form an inclusive, moderate and Mathematics in English (PPSMI). encourage them to improve their proficien- prepared to teach in the language," she exam-oriented. great Malaysia, as outlined in the 'Buku The PPSMI policy was initiated by Dr cy in the language and their confidence in says. "It's time to focus on equipping students Harapan' (Pakatan's election manifesto). Mahathir when he was prime minister and speaking it," explains Faridah. with capabilities that they need once Dr Maszlee's to-do list seems like a tall implemented in phases, beginning with Sarah, a teacher based in Petaling Jaya Focusing on core duties they leave school," she adds. Jaycee adds order but despite the initial scepticism, Year One, Form One and Lower Six stu- wants to see the end of the Dual Language that analytical ways of assessment, interac- stakeholders nationwide are hopeful and dents in 2003. Programme (DLP) and the reintroduction Teachers have too much clerical work to tive teaching aids, better classroom condi- believe he can pull it off. The Government announced the reversal of PPSMI. do, which take up a lot of time and as a tions, sporting facilities, and reasonable Dr Maszlee will be dealing with a huge of the PPSMI policy in 2009. She believes the PPSMI initiative was result, are unable to concentrate on their allocations are very much needed in more beneficial as she claims "the DLP is real job, which is to teach, says Faridah. schools. not standardised and students who choose Retired English teacher Wong Chiew Lee SMK USJ12 teacher Shirley Tan wants the other option don't get as much expo- agrees with Faridah's sentiments. the ministry to fix the teaching facilities that sure to English." "The time we have in school should be are available in schools, including comput- Another English teacher from Petaling spent interacting with students and helping ers. Jaya, Premala Devi asks that schools be them with school work. "We are not given proper tools and yet Dr Maszlee's 'To-do list" given more leeway when it comes to imple- "Many of us are dedicated to our voca- they expect us to deliver the goods," she menting the DLP for their students. tion. We stay back to give extra lessons sim- says. • Making the national school system the choice of parents and Currently, schools have to fulfil certain ply because we lacked time during classes," "In my school, I was surprised that the students. criteria, which include having the written she adds. computers provided are at least 15 years • Lightening teachers'workload by appointing teaching consent of parents, enough qualified teach- Wong says teachers have to wrestle with a old. They are very slow. Using these comput- assistants, having smaller class sizes and reducing clerical tasks. ers and classrooms, and a score above the computer server and software that are not ers frustrates the students." National Grade Average in Bahasa user-friendly. She adds that the Internet connection and • Giving special attention to the early schooling years to remove Malaysia before they can apply for the the emphasis on exams and rote learning. The process of A teacher in Kuala Selangor, Jaycee, says online learning platform are also slow and learning and teaching should be fun and joyful. DLP. long hours are spent on documentation not user-friendly. The DLP which gives students the online and offline that are subjected to cer- NUTP secretary-general Harry Tan hopes • Using the latest technology, including information technology option to study Mathematics and Science tain criteria. the union can meet Dr Maszlee soon to dis- (IT) in the teaching and learning process to give maximum in either Bahasa Malaysia or English, was Besides feeling like administrators, cuss issues concerning schools and the edu- exposure and experiences to the students. announced during Budget 2016. she says many of her colleagues opted for cation fraternity. • Encouraging students to be proficient in multiple languages. "Many schools which did not fulfil the early retirement as they cannot handle the These include administrative bureaucra- criteria have lost many students to interna- stress. cy, shortage of English Language teachers, • Strengthening technical and vocational education training tional schools and homeschooling, espe- Former National Union of the Teaching the lack of fencing and guard houses in (TVET) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics cially the high achievers," she laments. Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Datuk some schools, CCTVs placed in locations not (STEM) education. Parent Action Group for Education N. Siva Subramaniam says that in the past, for safety but to monitor teacher activity, • Providing more opportunities in STEM and TVET education to Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor teachers had the opportunity to submit writ- closure of teacher education institutes and special needs students. Azimah Abdul Rahim hopes the new minis- ten suggestions to the Government towards no replacement teachers for those on mater- ter will continue the DLP and train more • Meeting and obtaining feedback from aH stakeholders including education reform. nity and long sick leave. teachers, lecturers, students and parents on the education teachers, to allow more schools to apply On another issue, Wong hopes that A parent who wants to be known as blueprints. for it. Dr Maszlee will look into the school curricu- Cheng hopes Dr Maszlee will give special "PAGE hopes the National Science Action lum. attention to students with special needs. • Allowing fresh graduates who draw a salary below RM4,000 to3 Plan and the National Science, Technology, "Subjects like Moral Education tell our "My wife is a special education teacher postpone repaying their PTPTN loans until they start earning Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students how to think. Instead, they must be and we have seen how parents with special RM4,000 and above. Centre will continue," she adds. given room for creativity," says Wong. children struggle when they are not given • Abolishing the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU)f Mother of two Rajes Mutthusamy voiced Aliya, an English teacher in , echoes the right attention. Act 1971, to provide academic freedom and to lift higher her concern over the DLP, describing it as Wong's concern over Moral Education. "We hope there will be more inclusivity learning institutions to the international level. inconsistent as not all schools can imple- "Special attention should be given as the and support for special children. ment the programme. values and definitions are too rigid", which "Either bring in expert teachers who are Source: The Star ©The Star Graphics "All classes in my daughter's school con- discourages the use of creative and critical able to educate them and accept them into a y duct Maths and Science in English but the thinking. normal school environment, or train exist- teachers aren't equipped to deliver. "Memorising isn't enough, students must ing teachers," he says. Cover Story

SOME time is needed to restructure the for- mer higher education ministry as it is now back together with the Education Ministry. Under one roof Higher education has always been part of the education ministry until 2004 when for- mer prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi split the education ministry up to the education and higher education minis- tries. The creation of the two ministries then were to ensure both sectors received equal focus as it was thought to be too unwieldy under one. Subsequently the two ministries were merged back in 2013 and split up again in 2015. Following the recent win by the Pakatan Harapan Government, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that there will only be one ministry in charge of Lee suggests the setting up of an executive Prof Pradeep hopes that private education insti- all matters regarding education. board comprising representatives of different tutions will get more financial incentives from the Newly appointed Education Minister Dr stakeholders in higher education. Government. Maszlee Malik believes the merging of the Higher Education and Education Ministries is "not a big issue". Sunway Education Group and Sunway University senior executive director Elizabeth Lee says that over the years the two ministries were split to allow more focused attention on the needs and rapid development of the two different areas of education. "We hope that the same attention, if not more, may be devoted to address the needs arising from the fast changing trends and aggressive competition in the light of globalisa- tion, especially in higher education," she adds. She suggests that an executive board com- prising representatives from different stake- Dr Parmjit says Mapcu is Senior Prof Khalid welcomes Prof Syed Arabi says Dr holders in higher education be set up. looking forward to working the appointment of a fellow Maszlee is a respected "This is to promote better understanding closely with Dr Maszlee. academic as education minister. academic at home and abroad. and communication between the stakehold- ers, policymakers and regulators and to "He will be able to put substance to form, Carrying out the vision empower the higher learning institutions to bring in meaning to performance and develop in tandem with global institutions achievement, put values back in higher Taylor's University deputy vice-chancel- and trends," she says in welcoming Dr education and steer the course with confi- lor and chief academic officer Prof Dr Maszlee's appointment. dence," he says. Pradeep Nair says that although Tun Dr Dr Maszlee has impressive credentials Mahathir Mohamad has removed himself On the same wave that make him suitable for a ministerial as the Education Minister, he believes Dr role. Maszlee will be able to carry out the for- UCSI University vice-chancellor and "He has a PhD on Good Governance, mer's visions for education. president Senior Prof Datuk Dr Khalid speaks four languages and has a very active "Dr Mahathir's vision of making Yusoff welcomes the appointment of a fel- social involvement. Malaysia the regional centre for education- low academic as education minister. "These will provide the much needed al excellence for higher education have Dr Maszlee, he adds, will understand how extra dimension in making our universities been the true north for almost all private universities work as he is from academia as great and socially responsive. higher education providers. well. "The academic fraternity is eager to move "We hope Dr Maszlee will remove unnec- forward with him," says Prof Khalid. essary regulatory requirements which Former International Islamic University have often stifled the growth of private Malaysia (HUM) rector Prof Datuk Dr Syed higher education and created an unequal Support for Arabi Idid has nothing but praise for Dr playing field for us," says Prof Pradeep. Maszlee who is also Simpang Renggam MP. He hopes that private education institu- In fact, he recalls Dr Maszlee as an indi- tions will get more financial incentives both candidates vidual involved in political research that from the Government to make education SOON after Prime Minister Tun Dr focused on Islam while at the varsity. more equitable and accessible to the larger Mahathir Mohamad decided not to "He holds a moderate viewpoint," he population. hold the Education Minister portfolio says. Prof Pradeep points out that private and named Simpang Renggam MP Dr Dr Maszlee has previously served as an higher education institutions today make Maszlee Malik to take his place, HUM lecturer and Assistant Professor in the up almost 60% of total tertiary enrolment wasted no time and regis- Department of Political Science. and can become an even more powerful tered two petitions on change.org in He is a respected academic at home and engine for human capital development. support of both candidates for the abroad and gets along well with students "Dr Maszlee may be relatively young and role. and academic staff. new, but his ideas are fresh, daring and The first petition was registered on "Education is the bedrock of our nation's untainted by past legacies," he adds. May 18 shortly after Dr Mahathir's future. HUM student Hazwan Dani, who studied announcement, backing the premier to "He is a young minister and he will be an Islamic history subject under Dr take up the ministerial role. expected to provide the solutions to the var- Maszlee, describes him as a "learned and As of press time, it has garnered ious issues," says Prof Syed Arabi. open minded" person. 88,916 signatures. Malaysian Association of Private Colleges "Lessons were enlightening because his The second petition, in support of Dr and Universities (Mapcu) is looking forward knowledge of Islamic history is vast, as Maszlee, was registered on May 19 and to working closely with Dr Maszlee on tal- well as his general knowledge because he has accumulated 166,501 signatures. ent development. reads a lot. Dr Mahathir's supporters described Its president Datuk Dr Parmjit Singh adds him as a great role model and the best "He conducts interfaith dialogues with choice for the role, in the petition's com- that he has known Dr Maszlee from his par- students: ment box. ticipation in various working groups. "Once, he invited a Christian friend of A netizen stated that the nonagenari- "I believe he will transform Malaysia into his over to class to talk about peace and an has perhaps identified the problems a knowledge-based economy by steering had an open discussion with us on the sim- prevalent in the education system and the education sector towards embracing ilarities of our religion despite our differ- has thought of solutions, thus the deci- technology to meet with the challenges of ences. sion to name himself. Industry 4.0," he explains. "So, accusations against him for being an Separately, on Dr Maszlee's petition, On the merging of the two ministries, he Islamist is not true. In my experience, he supporters said the nation needs bright says that it made "a lot of sense." was always objective," says Hazwan who is people to work with Dr Mahathir for This is to ensure a seamless and synchro- a fourth year International Relations the betterment of the country. nised education system from preschool to major, with a minor in Islamic Revealed Some said to give Dr Maszlee a tertiary studies. Knowledge and Heritage. chance while others said he is a quali- "It supports the Government's aspirations Describing Dr Maszlee as always punctu- fied candidate for the role. to optimise on resources and reduce public al, Hazwan says he is techno savvy and up expenditure," he adds. to date. — By REBECCA RAJAENDRAM