EIGHTH RANK SHOWS SUCCESS OF MALAYSIA'S NATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM

JEMPOL, (N.Sembilan, Malaysia), Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's eighth world
ranking in the field of education as listed by the Newsweek magazine showed that
the education system in the country is of high-quality, Deputy Education
Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said.

Many factors had contributed to the success including the government's policy
and focus on the importance of science and mathematics and the quality of the
Malaysian teachers, he told reporters at a ceremony to present Aidilfitri
(celebration to mark the end of Ramadan month) donations to 500 orphans,
organised by the Jempol Umno division, here Tuesday.

He said the success was also made possible as 90 per cent of the projects
lined-up under the Education Development Master Plan (PIPP) were implemented,
including the project to provide electricity and clean water supply to all
schools nationwide.

"We can now say that 95 per cent of schools in the country have been provided
with 24-hour electricity and clean water supply. This definitely has contributed
to our success," he said.

Nevertheless, the deputy minister said the success was not due to the
government's efforts alone, but also to the cooperation from all quarters,
including the school's management, teac