Maszlee striving to resolve educational issues, says teachers’ union

Education Minister Maszlee Malik (fourth from right) greeting students at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bandar Tasik Kesuma at an event recently. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the National Education Policy Study Committee and the National Education Advisory Council shows that the education ministry under Maszlee Malik is working to resolve issues in this country, a teachers’ union said.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) Malaysia in a statement today said the two committees, which work independently, could give the ministry accurate and plausible input in making policy decisions.

“They are working towards solutions to problems which have existed for a long time and finding ways to create an atmosphere which is free of political influence, increases students’ marketability and, at the same time, creates human values in students.

“He (Maszlee) has conducted several engagement sessions and NUTP is grateful as several initiatives have been implemented to solve problems within the ministry,” the statement said.

The union said that among the problems that had been resolved were promotions not based on merit, infrastructure issues, entry of B40 students into boarding schools, irrelevant documentation among teachers and solutions to creating more realistic technical and vocational education training (TVET).

In addition, the ministry focused on special education and made amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) to give greater freedom to university students and ensure fair allocation regardless of race and religion, it said. - FMT