Thank you to everyone, especially the media and MOE members, who attended this event (press conference).
When I entered this building as Education Minister nearly 20 months ago, I often wondered how heavy this responsibility of holding two strategic ministries in the country.
From day one, I imagined controversy.
Since 2018, MOE has been transparent in all initiatives and progress of education reform efforts. MOE became the first ministry to present a 100-day Pakatan Harapan (PH) report, a yearly performance report card (June 2018-June 2019) and a report card for 2019. It was later followed by other ministries.
2019 proves that some of the initiatives we are introducing have finally come to fruition. Almost 90 percent of the dilapidated schools projects we worked on are completed in advance. We have also posted this progress on a website where, before this, no government project has been so transparent and accessible to the public.
The inclusive policies we introduced for special needs students (BKs), groups B40, children without identification documents and zerosum policies all have given new meaning to thousands of students across the country – some of whom are in danger of being out of school.
Other initiatives, including reducing the burden of teachers and revitalising the school community, the ‘Malaysia Membaca’ movement and the re-reading of AUKU in Parliament are also evidence of PH’s commitment to education reform.
We also want to re-establish quality improvement as a key element of education. We must understand that the quality of education cannot be renewed overnight. There are many complex systemic issues.
One of these is corruption. Previously, certain parties had obtained contracts through connections and MOE had worked hard to combat this practice. We even brought in Tan Sri Ambrin Buang and his committee to make sure we have a fair check and showed the public how serious we are on the issue.
Our plans for 2020 are bigger. With some of these systemic barriers that have been successfully overcome, we will be able to implement larger system reforms. For example, digital education is only possible if all schools have a fast and stable Internet system.
Previously, there was a monopoly and teachers could not use the platform because it was too slow and they had no choice.
MOE ensures that the system is open so that schools can choose the best Internet provider and platform for their children. Only then can we focus on IR 4.0 and STEM education in schools.
In addition to digital education plans, we also plan to improve the quality of schools and universities by focusing on teachers, lecturers, administrators and policy makers.
For teachers, this is why MOE works hard to reduce irrelevant workload so that we can improve pedagogy. In addition, the Education Act will also be revised to require children to finish high school.
As for universities, we will ensure that they can compete more competitively worldwide. Our universities need to learn from the best universities in the world.
A marketability framework will be launched where more relevant programmes and stronger industry relationships will be a priority.
In addition, re-reading of AUKU will provide more autonomy to universities and academic freedom to improve quality. This includes reforms in all TVET programmes, which has increased its graduate marketability to 96.5 percent.
However, as I have always emphasised to my staff — we must first change ourselves before we can change schools and universities.
MOE needs to be more effective and proactive. Each programme must be outcome-based. When I led MOE, I always welcomed publicprivate partnership because I knew we could not implement this system alone — schools and universities are community-owned.
The success of the education system means the success of the community. Education is the responsibility of everyone. But as I said at the outset, I have been seen as a major contributor to the leadership crisis, especially with regard to Jawi, school Internet and free breakfast issues.
However, I believe I have set a clear foundation and direction for MOE to follow. It is assembled and embossed in three sacred words – ‘Pendidikan untuk Semua’ (Education for All).
I believe this decision is not the end, it is a new beginning. Believe me, the country’s reforms will never succeed without making the people’s welfare their main focus.
I would like to express my thanks to Tun Mahathir for giving me a 20 month opportunity to lead MOE. It was a great gift to me as an educator and academic activist.
I would also like to express my undivided support and commitment to him (Mahathir) and my party PPBM. Therefore, on the advice of the Prime Minister, I, Maszlee Malik, hereby resign as Education Minister effective Jan 3, 2020.
