KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak government is committed to its effort to prioritise education and address issues related to education effectively.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the state government established the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) to facilitate collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MoE) to resolve education-related challenges.
“At the state level, MEITD serves as a vital intermediary in addressing education issues.
“A significant challenge that needs joint attention between the federal government and Sarawak in the education sector currently is the shortage of teachers and facilities, and dilapidated schools.
“Education thus remains a major challenge for us and a crucial agenda within the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Granting administrative power to the education sector is a primary focus for the federal government through the MA63 Secretariat,” he said when speaking at the Yayasan Sarawak’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering here last night (Apr 25).
Fadillah also highlighted the challenges faced by Sabah and Sarawak due to centralised planning in Putrajaya, particularly on teachers’ recruitment and placement in Sarawak.
He said most of the vacancies remain unfilled due to candidates’ reluctance to work in Sarawak’s remote areas, leading to a lack of teachers and staff serving in the state.
“In this context, with administrative powers in education given to us, we can ensure that these vacant positions are filled, and candidates can serve in Sarawak,” he added.
The event earlier hosted around 110 Sarawak students under the Sarawak Foundation’s Student Exchange Programme.
The Sarawak Foundation has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd (MLNG) to strengthen the Student Exchange Programme.
Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, and Yayasan Sarawak director Mersal Abang Rosli.
