Adapt to education system transformation, Najib tells pupils

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has advised students to adapt to the transformation of the education system as preparation to face future challenges of the new environment.

He said the new education system was based on thinking skills that emphasised a high level of ability of an individual to think creatively, innovatively and generate new ideas, including new job opportunities that could be created.

"During my time at school, what was emphasised was to memorise. Learn by heart...cannot forget the numbers or facts. Today change has taken place whereby learning by heart cannot determine success," he said.

Najib said this when speaking at the Pekan parliament UPSR 2015 prize-giving and needy students school aid presentation ceremony at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Convention Hall in Pekan today.

The event was organised by Pekan Umno Division Education Bureau in collaboration with the Pahang Foundation, Mara Education Foundation (YPM), and Pekan district education office.

Najib said the education field was being given special attention by him since he was elected as Pekan Member of Parliament 40 years ago because education determined one's future success that led to the well-being of the family and country.

"So whatever expenses we spend in education cannot be deemed normal expenses but is considered as future investment.

"If we invest wisely in education, the returns are great...not for a year or two but throughout life can be credited to religion, nation and family," he said.

He also touched on the interests of the local community or ecosystem to provide support to schools as it was among the vital factors in determining the desired excellence in the education sector.

Other factors were the role of dedicated teachers, school leadership, quality learning and teaching aid, he added.

At the function, he also presented prizes to 271 students who obtained 5As in last year's UPSR results, while YPM donated 2,500 school bags as school aid.

- Bernama