NATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM TO BE EVALUATED -- DPM

PUTRAJAYA, May 5 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry will conduct a study to
evaluate the national education system and at the same time identify the
defficiencies so that quality can be enhanced.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the comprehensive study would
involve views of experts including from oveseas to propel the national education
system toward greater excellence.

He said there were still people with the opinion that the Education Ministry
had plenty of room for improvement, hence the study would hopefully be able to
realise the objective.

"From the past till now, what has been emphasised is the aspect of quality;
quality in the national education system whether in terms of teaching, the
students or learning. We want to see how far we have succeeded and what are the
additional initiatives we can take to enhance further quality at the ministry.

"The keyword is quality. The ministry gives solid focus to this aspect
because we cannot compromise with the future of children who need quality
education," he said.

Muhyiddin said this after speaking for the first time as the Education
Minister at the ministry's monthly assembly at Putrajaya International
Convention Centre here Tuesday.

Asked whether the ministry would introduce a new syllabus suitable with the
1Malaysia concept, he said the present syllabus was still relevant to be
adopted.

"We want to give a new understanding, on the importance of education as a
platform to unite the people through relationships between the multiracial
students in school.

"That is the best opportunity to enhance the level of people's integration
in education because besides the aspect of learning, we have to take the
opportunity to mix the ingredients to enhance interracial ties through uniform
bodies, sports or recreation," he said.

Asked on Prime Minister Najib Razak's suggestion regarding the emphasis on
creativity and innovation, Muhyiddin said his side would identify measures that
needed to be implemented to instil the elements.

He said the measures were not limited to educators, but also covered
students including from the aspect of examination and intelligence test to see
the creativity of both parties in preparing and answering the questions.

"We want to see who can come up with new ideas, think outside the ordinary.
We want to produce a thinking society, who can contribute ideas. We cannot
become too static, but need to be dynamic," he said.

On the suggestion by his deputy, Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong, for the contents of
History textbooks to be reviewed, Muhyiddin said history which was something
that happened in the past, could not be altered or added.

He said, such a study could only be done based on facts and the truth.

"What has happened and considered as history should be recognised and
written accurately. I didn't have the opportunity to look at History textbooks
but surely there were clear reasons why it was written in such a way.

"It can be improved from time to time but you cannot add something that
wasn't there. May be what Wee meant was you need to evaluate whether it
qualifies to be considered as history or not," he said.

Wee had previously suggested for the contents of History textbooks be
reviewed on the ground that it did not touch on the struggle and contributions
of other races toward national development.

Muhyiddin said, the government had never pushed aside the contributions of
other races toward history or development before, during or after independence
but what needed to be highlighted in history was that the stuggle for
independence was started by the Malays before it was joined by leaders from
other races.

"What important is giving accurate picture, not adding or removing any facts
already there. They can make suggestions. I am always open for any form of
suggestions and we will see the reasons. If there is a need for a review, it
must be based on accurate facts or the truth," he said.
-- BERNAMA