Education blueprint: Are public views necessary?
Sonia Ramachandran, The Ant Daily
Getting public input for something as important as charting the course for education is always good, provided the opinions are actually considered.
And what use is a Blueprint unless the weaknesses are first identified in the system and input gathered to find solutions to them in charting the future course of education.
Speaking to Theantdaily, National Indian Rights Action Team (Niat) chairman Datuk Thasleem Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Haj said the Ministry of Education (MOE) should be looking at the shortcomings in the current higher education system before asking for the public’s input.
“Identify this first, then look at the steps to rectify and improve it. Why talk about higher education when the entire foundation is shaky? The system is collapsing slowly but surely,” he said.
Thasleem also questioned the rationale of having consultations and asking for input from the public if it was not going to be considered.
“For the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025, Niat went for a couple of briefings and we provided our input which was based on research findings of countries like Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“In passing, one of the officers said, ‘Very good input Datuk but unfortunately we have already decided what is going into it.’ To me it’s just an eyewash,” he said.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim also echoed this sentiment.
“When they (MOE) draft the Higher Education Blueprint, they should take into consideration all the concerns and recommendations put forth and not just pick and choose what suits them best.
