THE Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) hopes to arrange a meeting with Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek to tackle urgent issues on education in Sarawak.
Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said his ministry is still awaiting a suitable time to start discussions.
“We are trying to get a time from her to meet and discuss. But, so far, there are no dates (for the meeting) yet.
“Maybe she is busy, but I hope in the near future she will be able to see us.
“But the most important thing is that anything discussed with them must be taken seriously. If we meet and just talk only (without any outcome), it is no use. I don’t want to waste my time,” he told a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech today.
Sagah was fielding questions from reporters on the date of MEITD’s is expecting to meet Fadhlina to address education-related issues faced by Sarawak.
Roland said he had met with Fadhlina during the latter’s previous courtesy visit to the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I met her when she paid a courtesy call on the Premier, so I tagged along upon the instruction from the Premier.
Earlier, in his winding-up speech, Roland said he will take charge and bring education matters raised by the respective state elected representatives to the attention of the federal minister concerned.
“However, I am aggrieved that our request to have a meeting with the minister concerned has not been successful,” he said.
On the issue of unfilled headmasters’ vacancies in Daro, specifically in SK Penasu, SK Nanga Semah and SK Batang Lassa and the principals’ posts in SMK Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Normah, Daro and SMK Jalan Oya, Sibu, Roland said he sympathises with the students, parents and teachers for not having the required leadership.
“According to the state Education Department, the prerequisite to fill the posts of headmasters and principals is to obtain the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) certification. The NPQEL is only awarded by Institut Aminuddin Baki (IAB).
“This new requirement introduced by the Ministry of education (MoE) has caused undue delay in the replacement and appointment for new headmasters and principals. Unlike the previous practice, the Education Department had the authority to appoint suitable and qualified teachers as headmasters and principals.
“Now all these authorities, including appointment to act as headmasters and principals, are centralised at the MoE and Public Service Department Malaysia,” he said.
Despite the well intention by the MoE to improve the quality of the school leaders, the matter has inadvertently delayed the whole process of appointment and replacement of headmasters and principals.
“It is quite unbecoming of MoE for allowing these matters to happen at such important institutions. My ministry takes this matter seriously,” added Roland.
