Maszlee calls on govt to set up National Education Action Council

 

The government should expedite the formation of the National Education Action Council comprising government MPs, the opposition and experts from the field.

In making the call, former education minister Maszlee Malik said it was among 12 proposals he submitted to the government as a solution for the academic crisis due to Covid-19.

Maszlee added that education is a collective responsibility that requires a concerted, collaborative and holistic effort from all parties.

"So it is not appropriate for only the Education Ministry to shoulder the responsibility to address the issue, because the teaching and learning process is taking place at home, not in school.

"Issues of Internet reach, device ownership and effective study materials require collaboration between all parties," the Simpang Renggam MP said.

Other proposals include intervention by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry in the issue of Internet reach, as well as government education programming on television or radio.

"Broadcasting of TV Pendidikan is under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry but the content must be provided by the Education Ministry.

"Through the Education Ministry, content for TV Pendidikan must be increased through distribution to various publishing companies, without any form of monopoly," he said.

"In fact, grants from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) can also be used to fund the production of content," he added.

Maszlee suggested that experts in universities could play a role too in producing more content for school children, including through utilising their research grants.

"University students, meanwhile, can be encouraged to tutor the students, their siblings, neighbours or any child within the Covid-19 standard operating procedure radius (of 10km) to prevent cases of school dropouts and children left behind," he said. - Mkini