PORT DICKSON – The discussion on education autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak is expected to take some time before the matter can be finalised, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said the discussions by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Technical Committee, involving the interests of the federal and state governments, were going well.
“The committee is very progressive, discussions are done in a harmonious environment, and many issues are being studied and refined together,” she said after opening the state-level Madani gotong royong programme and the Malaysian First Infantry Brigade anniversary at SK Si Rusa here today.
Based on recent media reports, the Sabah government has expressed hope that the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can finalise the granting of administrative authority in the education and healthcare sectors soon, as discussed through the MA63 Technical Committee.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor was reported as saying that the granting of more autonomy to the state government would enable it to ensure the state’s education system would be in line with that of the peninsula.
Regarding the decline in students’ interest in science and mathematics, Fadhlina said the direction of the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects would be strengthened and various interventions and initiatives taken in collaboration with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
“We also need the community to be more involved, with more input and commitment from parents, especially to get children to be interested in learning STEM,” she said.
Speaking at the Malaysian Commercialisation Year Summit 2023 today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the Education Ministry and Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry to find new approaches to attract students’ interest in science and mathematics.
He said this followed the latest study that revealed a decline in students’ interest in both subjects. – Bernama, August 4, 2023
