KUALA LUMPUR – The lack of sound education policies that suit the times is the reason former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not support the Education Ministry's 2021 budget today.
Debating the Education Ministry’s Budget 2021 at the committee stage, Dr Mahathir (independent-Langkawi) said it is vital that policies are fine-tuned to be more in line with current times, considering advancements in technology.
“However, I find that none of these proposals are in the Education Ministry’s budget. For this reason, I won’t be supporting the ministry’s budget for 2021.
“Supposedly, all lessons should be provided by expert teachers by way of thumb drives or discs, and consumed via mobile phones or computers, complete with all information and illustration.
“Class teachers will only guide the students through these lessons provided by the specialists,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said that, with computers and other gadgets, specialists are able to upload their content for consumption, allowing students to replay any of the lessons whenever necessary.
“Certainly, learning English will be easier if the contents are provided by the experts. It’s easier to follow and can be replayed. Indeed, the education policy must be reviewed and amended to be more suitable for the future.”
He said this proposed method should be practised at all levels of education in the country.
He also stressed the importance of practical lessons to ensure students better understand the content of their lessons.
“I really hope the government will introduce such lessons in this age of technology.” – The Vibes, December 15, 2020