All educators, not just Razak, would turn in their graves

PKR Communications director says the decline in the education system began with the enactment of the University and University Colleges Act 1974.

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak would not be the only one “turning in his grave” over the nation’s current education standards.

“All the great Malaysian teachers and educators who are no longer with us, who gave their lives to educating others, and who laid the foundations of our nation would do the same,” PKR’s Communications director Fahmi Fadzil told FMT.

He was responding to a recent statement by former minister Rafidah Aziz that Abdul Razak would “turn in his grave” if he saw the state of the country’s education system today, which she said was marred by nationalism and politics.

Fahmi went on to explain that the decline of the nation’s education system did not just happen overnight. Instead, the decay had begun in 1974.

The University and University Colleges Act 1974, he said, witnessed the political appointments of vice-chancellors.

It also beleaguered Malaysian teachers in primary and secondary schools with administrative tasks.

Fahmi felt it was impossible to return to the “golden years” of education, as long as certain policies and lawmakers remained.

“What the Malaysian education system needs is greater detachment from politics, increased academic freedom, substantive student autonomy, and the need for deep reforms of our educational institutions.”

According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) last year, proficiency in mathematics and science among 15-year-old Malaysians was comparable to poorer and under-developed countries.

The study also ranked Malaysia 52nd out of 76 countries, below Thailand, Kazakhstan and Iran.

Local universities, meanwhile, fared poorly in global surveys. The recent Times Higher Education World University Ranking for 2015-2016 revealed the best performing institution in the country was Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, which occupied the 401-500 category.