MALAYSIA AMONG MOST SUCCESSFUL IN GIVING PEOPLE ACCESS TO EDUCATION

GENTING HIGHLANDS (Malaysia), Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been recognised as among countries most successful in providing access to education for all, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(Unesco) in its Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2009 had placed
Malaysia 45 of 129 countries.

"It places Malaysia among the top 56 countries in the Development Index For
All," he said when opening the Conference On New Developments In Education
2010-2012 at Aminuddin Baki Institute here Wednesday.

Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister reminded all quarters not to be
complacement with the good placing achieved by Malaysia in the Education For All
Index.

"In the quest for development and prosperity, we must not only upgrade
access to education but also expand access to quality education," he said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak had made access to quality and affordable
education as one of six National Key Result Areas (NKRA) to create competitive
human capital capable of driving a high yielding economy.

They were to increase pre-school by 20 percent by end 2012, ensure that all
pupils would have literacy and numerical skills after three years of primary
education and to create high performance schools.

Others were to introduce a new deal to school principals aimed at upgrading
professionalism in management, strengthening vocational and skills education and
ensure that all schools receive 24 hours of electricity supply.

Muhyiddin said the ministry was also considering to build hostels for
pre-schoolers in remote areas.
-- BERNAMA