BENCHMARK NEEDED FOR BEST PRACTICES IN EDUCATION, SAYS MUHYIDDIN

PENANG (Malaysia), May 26 (Bernama) -- With Asean currently experiencing
rapid changes in economic and technological development, it is timely for
leaders and practitioners in education to formulate a benchmark for best
practices in education for the region, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin.

He said special emphasis should be given to finding ways to improve
innovation and creativity in the education system, in tandem with the objective
of creating more competitive human capital through education.

"This will certainly help governments and policy makers to steer our
education system along the right path to excellence," he said during a
dinner held in conjunction with the 48th Annual Convention of Malaysian
Secondary School Principals on Education Management, here today.

He said he hoped that Malaysian school principals and their counterparts
from Southeast Asian countries attending the convention would be able to share
knowledge, expertise and experience in school management to enhance the quality
of education in this region.

"I firmly believe that this initiative will increase the ability of our
school principals to respond more positively to global challenges in the realm
of education, while at the same time creating opportunities for cooperation and
collaboration among the governments of Asean member states to improve the
quality of school management and leadership," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the education field in the
country played an important role in not only producing highly skilled and
knowledgeable human capital but in forming a country where the people were
united.

"By undergoing schooling under the National Education System, speaking in
the National Language and mingling with friends from various races and
religions, it his hoped our children will be able to appreciate the patriotic
spirit better, This is in line with the 1Malaysia concept espoused by Prime
Prime Minister Mohd Najib Razak," he said.

Speaking at a press conference later, Muhyiddin said the ministry was giving
due consideration to requests for the responsibility allowance for principals,
which has not changed since 15 years ago, to be raised by RM600.

"Yes, we are aware about the requests and are studying whether the
government can afford it," he said. (US$1=RM3.48)
-- BERNAMA