By Alverdtekoster Anyap
KUCHING: The Sarawak government should not encounter any problem in the establishment of international schools, says Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Leadership Centre chairman Prof Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abd Rahman.
“I’m very positive that the state government has taken into account the requirements, and they may have already discussed this with the Ministry of Education (MOE).”
He was commenting on a statement made by a professor from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), claiming that an international school operated by “a statutory body under the government” and adopting an international curriculum would go against Section 18 of the Education Act, which made it mandatory for government schools to follow national curriculum.
He stated that the state had the right to interpret the agreement and both state and federal governments could debate on this.
He added that the government could incorporate some subjects from the national education syllabus into the foreign syllabus, giving people options.
He suggested that some subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Islam, Pendidikan Moral, Pendidikan Sivik and Sejarah should be put together in the foreign syllabus.
“Guidelines need to be prepared so that the schools are not too far from the current education system.”
“It also gives opportunities for children to have education and establishment of the schools should not be a problem.”
He said with the establishment of the schools, it also allowed children to be exposed to foreign education but conducted in Malaysia.
“We have every right to decide and determine our way in conducting these international schools.
“What is different is the methodology or the approach of learning compared to ordinary schools.”
As for fees, “The people have options, whether to go to ordinary schools, go to specific schools or to international schools.”
“There is no harm setting up international schools using foreign syllabus and I don’t think the MOE is also worried about it.
“Just that as long as they are in agreement that whatever syllabus or subjects taught, they are in line with the requirement needed.”
