GOPENG: The Education Ministry has implemented several initiatives to face the technology boom which has changed the landscape of human capital development, says its minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said this includes preparing students with knowledge that includes understanding the skills and risks of future education while focusing on aspects that shape the character of the nation's future leaders.
"(The impact of) technology... coupled with social evolution is unavoidable, as are the implications that emerged as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said in her speech at the opening of the Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi (SBPI) Gopeng here on Thursday (June 27).
"In the ministry's context, among the initiatives taken is the launch of the Digital Education Policy (DPD), which aims to produce digitally literate students with integrity and ethics," she added.
The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah graced the launch.
Fadhlina said the ministry was actively preparing for the education reform agenda, driven by six key directions in: digital education; the empowerment of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum; Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes; upholding Bahasa Malaysia and strengthening th ecommand of English; expansion and strengthening of preschools; and the Schooling Education and Curriculum Plan.
She said these efforts will be implemented with the aspiration of building a future Madani generation based on the principles of humane education.
She also said the task of building a superior future generation holistically was important, and education needed to be a humanising experience, not a production line.
"Due to this, the process needs time and a human touch; its administration must be humane. Education is a humane lifelong learning process," she said.
In the meantime, she said the education agenda is not solely focused on the aspect of prestige and academic excellence, but the infrastructure and facilities of educational institutions should be comprehensive.
"The aspect of humanity or the humane dimension should be a priority in education, the main essence of this education must be maintained.
"Thus, the role of education as a continuous effort towards expanding an individual’s potential, as revealed in the National Education Philosophy, should be emphasised," she said.
She said the ministry was aware that real education is about developing both mind and character – academic excellence should go hand in hand with a commendable character, including the development of knowledge, character building, refinement of manners and morals, as well as strengthening integrity.
Accordingly, she added, the process of improving the education system under the umbrella of the education reform agenda is also actively being worked on.
"The ministry strives to preserve a higher quality education system with access and participation by all groups of students.
"It is committed to implementing a holistic education agenda as well as the development of integral student potential to meet the nation's aspirations.
"The development of a complete (framework) has always been a priority of the ministry so that students can have a learning experience in a safe and conducive environment," she added. – Bernama
