“The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.”
— Nelson Mandela.
AN announcement by the Ministry of Education (MOE) that it will improve all aspects of education in Sarawak is certainly music to the ears.
It is even more gratifying when Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led Federal government had in principle agreed to return education and health autonomies to Sarawak.
Fadillah said this was part of the move towards full restoration of Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Details of the matter are being worked out.
“Yes, that (the return of autonomy of education and health to Sarawak) is already agreed to in principle. So, we are now working on the details,” he said.
Globally, education is recognised as going hand-in-hand with economic growth and serves as key to a nation’s prosperity.
Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Realising this, many nations have placed due importance on not just providing education but have also made available quality education for their citizens.
The quality of education provided must be such that it can equip learners with skills that they require to be economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods and enhance their well-being. All these will indirectly contribute to further growth of the nation.
When the entire population is educated, it will increase productivity and reduce unemployment. This will then inevitably increase the average income per capita; hence, leading to positive economic growth and national stability.
It will be counter-productive and a grave mistake on the part of the government if it only focuses on churning out graduates but neglecting the quality of those same graduates.
After all, a good education is a whole-life asset. Good education can be used to overcome many life challenges including poverty. It also enables the shaping of the people’s future and transforms their entire life.
Worldwide, there is a critical need for education to enable people to lead successful, fulfilling lives. This means providing students with relevant educational experiences that nurture their passions, problem-solving talents, and higher-level thinking skills, including critical thinking and creativity.
Since the mid-19th century, many developed countries have provided mass public education, a foundation for millions of people to create a life for themselves and their families and to become actively engaged citizens.
The Sarawak government is no stranger to this. It is well-aware of the importance of education and has been adamant in its demand for the return of education autonomy from the Federal government. After all, education autonomy is among the special rights accorded to Sarawak under the MA63.
Unfortunately, negotiations with previous Federal governments, have failed to yield the desired results.
The Sarawak government, however, is not giving up hope and is diligently pursuing the return of its education autonomy, which will give it full control over its administration.
Currently, all education matters are being administered federally by MOE while Sarawak Education Department is only a coordinating authority.
Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said education autonomy should be given due consideration as it was the aspiration of all Sarawakians.
“The autonomy shall consist of policy and execution. However, the Federal government shall continue to provide the funds,” he told the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly in his winding-up speech on the state’s budget for this year.
Sagah said although education is currently under the jurisdiction of the Federal government, the state government has always played an active role in the sector as it is a top priority.
This, he said, was evident from the various efforts taken by the state, including improving the schools, and providing continuous professional development programmes for educators.
As such, the recent announcement by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek that MOE would focus on education, especially on matters related to MA63 and the principle of education for all, has rekindled Sarawak’s hope of regaining its education autonomy.
Fadhlina conveyed the commitment to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when she visited him at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, in Kuching on Jan 27. She was in the state on an official visit, the first since her appointment as the new Education Minister.
“We will prioritise access to education and (solving the issue of) dilapidated schools in Sarawak,” she said.
Fadhlina said that the MOE would try to fill at least 50 per cent or 1,500 of the estimated 3,000 teacher vacancies in Sarawak before the new school session commences in March.
She said the lack of facilities and the upgrading of dilapidated schools in Sarawak were also among the ministry’s top priorities.
The MOE has identified 455 dilapidated schools in Sarawak that were ranked 6 (on a scale of 1 to 10) while 113 others were seven on the scale.
“Efforts to restore the dilapidated schools will be among the Federal government’s main focus in 2023.”
Ideally, our education system should prepare our students to be productive, well-rounded global citizens. This can be achieved by teaching and demonstrating what it means to be lifelong learners who are critical thinkers and good citizens, equipped for 21st-century economies and supporting industries.
With the positive developments of the return of education autonomy, we look forward to quality education for all Sarawakians in the not-too-distant future.
The decision to return Sarawak’s education autonomy is long overdue but it’s better late than never.
By nature, Sarawakians don’t like to complain, but their patience is running thin and we want concrete actions more than mere pledges and eloquent speeches.
I pray that this time around, the Federal government will make concrete efforts to make its promises come to fruition.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
