KOTA SAMARAHAN: An academic researcher opines that the current education system in Malaysia needs some adjustments so as to meet the students’ capabilities.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)’ Institute of Borneo Studies director Associate Professor Dr Shahren Ahmad Zaidi Adruce sees the current education system as not having a friendly approach to accommodate the students, especially those in the rural areas.
“I suggest one of the best practices is to adopt a sustainable education system that allows students to take a few subjects to focus on,” he told New Sarawak Tribune recently.
“The current education system is pressuring students to excel in more than 10 subjects thus making it difficult for those who cannot cope.
“Western countries including Japan are adopting a practice which requires students to focus on a few subjects first. It has been proven to be more effective for the students,” he stressed.
He added that it was important to make learning, a fun and enjoyable process for students, and not by pressuring them.
“Dropouts must also be given the opportunity to return to school. But our education system doesn’t allow that,” he pointed out.
He stressed that a drastic change in the education system is necessary should the government wants the students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related subjects.
“Only 30 per cent of rural students passed their Form 5 examination, while 70 per cent of them failed.”
He revealed that from his research findings, most rural graduates did not excel in STEM.
Dr Shahren’s main concern is also the underprivileged students in rural areas for not having a proper infrastructure, which causes student to be deprived of conducive learning environment.
“I am glad that our state government is doing their best to develop the rural areas. But I also hope that the federal government will consider giving educational autonomy to Sarawak. This is so that we can have more students to excel in their education, especially in STEM subjects.
“I believe if we are able to change the education system to be based on the learners’ capabilities, they will succeed.
“In return, their success could contribute to the state or the country’s economy.”
