KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is urging Putrajaya to conclude the devolution of education and health powers to Sabah and Sarawak as discussed by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) technical committee.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor emphasised the importance of devolving powers, particularly in administration and management, to facilitate the state government in implementing and expediting education development projects and teacher appointments, in accordance with the wishes of the people in the state.
He expressed agreement with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Haji Fadillah Yusof, stating that granting more autonomy in these areas will ensure the state’s education system continues to progress in line with developments in Peninsular Malaysia.
“The effort to decentralise education powers also indirectly demonstrates the federal government’s confidence in the state government machinery, particularly in enhancing the capabilities of the education system in this state,” he said during the 34th Sabah State Excellent Scholarship Awards Ceremony at the Tun Ahmad Raffae Auditorium, Tun Mustapha Tower today.
“We believe that with this autonomy, the state government through the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry will have the flexibility to address various education-related issues in this state.
“In this regard, officials at the state level have a better understanding of the people’s problems in their respective areas. Therefore, better control and supervision must be implemented, which indirectly allows issues affecting the people to be managed more efficiently and quickly.”
On another matter, Hajiji warned against the recurrence of teacher absenteeism incidents in Sabah.
Speaking about a teacher truancy case, he emphasised the responsibility of teachers to ensure their students attend and receive lessons in school.
“We hope this incident will no longer happen. We don’t want our students to be left behind in their education,” he said.
Hajiji made these statements in light of the recent victory of three former SMK Taun Gusi, Kota Belud students in court after their English teacher failed to attend classes for seven months. – The Vibes, August 1, 2023
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