Further funds are needed for the future, to address issues including the state of mental health of both students and teachers
by AKMAR ANNUAR
HISTORICALLY, the education sector has always been allocated the biggest portion of the national budget, a clear indication that it ranks high on the nation’s priority list.
The Budget 2023, tabled by Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 24, had set aside RM55.2 billion against RM52.6 billion in 2022 for MoE, with another RM15.3 billion allocated for the Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) versus RM14.5 billion in the previous year.
Despite receiving the biggest slice of the cake this year, further funds are still needed for the future, particularly in ensuring infrastructure for all schools and universities are well-maintained and upgraded accordingly, as well as addressing issues regarding the state of mental health of both students and teachers.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Centre of Community Education and Wellbeing educationist Dr Anuar Ahmad said there are five issues that should be addressed in the education sector, requiring further financial aid.
Dr Anuar is concerned with the conditions of some facilities and halls at schools (source: UKM)
On top of the list, he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) that there should be funds for upgrading, particularly, science labs in schools and repairing those in poor conditions, saying it is affecting the students’ learning environment.
“Allocations should be made for these science labs especially for those science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students,” said Dr Anuar.
He also pointed out that it is equally important to upgrade and maintain the fields for students to play sports and do outdoor activities, encouraging them to stay fit and build their stamina.
Having said that, Dr Anuar is concerned with the conditions of some facilities and halls at schools.
“For the students’ sake and comfort, I think it’s crucial to build more sheltered halls at schools as well, as Malaysia’s tropical weather is ever-changing, from extreme hot weather which leads to heatwaves, to extremely wet weather mainly due to heavy rains all day long,” he explained.
Delving more issues at hand, Dr Anuar added that a timely boost for better infrastructure is needed in schools, mainly in Sabah and Sarawak, which need better and more school buildings.
With the increasing number of students flocking to the national schools, he suggested building more classrooms to accommodate these students, creating a more comfortable learning environment.
“Furthermore, in my opinion, the education budget should be also allocated for new school buildings to accommodate new housing areas or townships to keep up with the number of students,” he said
So far, the educationist noted that there had been seven new schools built in the past two years and there is not enough space to accommodate thousands of students.
Touching on the current Malaysia Education Blueprint that will end in 2025, Anuar said Malaysian schools and learning centres are in dire need to keep up with the latest technology and digital equipment and tools.
He also stressed the need for bigger capacity for Internet, hardware, computers and equipment at most schools, especially in the rural areas.
“We need to train new teachers and re-scaling senior teachers so that they master digital education eventually, thus creating quality digital learning and teaching materials,” he said.
Further implying the digitisation process could not be achieved if the country does not have good Internet access and interconnectivity, he said teachers — along with students need to be retaught on what and how to teach.
“Teachers are required to go to professional development meetings to learn how to adjust their classroom to fit into the frequently adjusted curriculum,” he added.
Another crucial issue is the lack of teachers, he said, adding that now more than 25,000 new teachers are needed to cater to the current high volume of students in national schools.
He then noted that the country needs more technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions for higher learning institutions, producing more TVET graduates and subsequently, reducing our reliance on foreign labour.
“We could start promoting TVET during school years to encourage more students to choose it as their first choice of career,” Dr Anuar told TMR.
Dr Adeeba says the education programmes should focus on nurturing critical thinking, creativity and adaptability (source: Monash)
Integrating Tech in Education System
Sharing her views, Monash University Malaysia president and pro-vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman shared that in this rapidly changing world, it is undeniable that our education sector needs a significant transformation.
“We are facing critical global challenges like climate change, the lightning-fast digital revolution, geopolitical instabilities, and biodiversity loss. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated injustices like poverty and exclusion. All these issues demand change, and the rapidity by which each issue is evolving highlights the urgency for change,” she elaborated.
The Unesco’s Futures of Education Report in November 2021, highlighted the shortcomings of Malaysia’s current global education system in addressing these challenges and called for a new social contract for education.
Taking note into this, Dr Adeeba pointed up the cruciality of transformation in the education system.
She said everyone, regardless of age or background, deserves the opportunity for lifelong learning and by doing so, we empower individuals to shape a fairer and more sustainable future.
Moreover, the digital age has revolutionised the way we work and learn, she added.
“Integrating technology into education is imperative to equip students with future-ready skills. This involves investing in cutting-edge tools and infrastructure to facilitate online and blended learning. Moreover, fostering digital literacy from an early age is crucial,” she said.
In her opinion, she believes that our education programmes should focus on nurturing critical thinking, creativity and adaptability, which she said can be achieved through project-based learning and interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr Adeeba added the future job market will require individuals to be lifelong learners.
“We must encourage a culture of continuous skill development and retraining. Short courses, micro-credentials, and online learning platforms should be readily available and affordable,” she said.
In an increasingly globalised world, Dr Adeeba thinks students need to gain international exposure, with exchange programmes, collaborations with foreign universities, and international internships, broadening students’ horizons and preparing them for global careers.
Beyond technical skills, employers are seeking candidates with strong soft skills such as communication, teamwork and emotional intelligence.
“Education should emphasise these skills through practical experiences and mentorship programmes,” she said.
Sharing similar views as Dr Anuar, the professor said upgrading school infrastructure and ensuring access to digital resources is essential.
“Investment in vocational training centres should focus on state-of-the-art equipment and partnerships with industries to ensure students receive practical, job-relevant skills. Scholarships and incentives for students pursuing vocational education can further promote this path,” she said.
Dr Adeeba also highlighted that higher education institutions play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce, calling for investments in research facilities, faculty development, and infrastructure are needed to maintain their quality and relevance.
“Scholarships and financial aid must be expanded to make tertiary education accessible to a broader spectrum of the population. Research is the cornerstone of progress. Increased funding for research in universities can lead to innovations that drive economic growth. Public and private partnerships in research should be encouraged,” she shared with TMR.
Besides academic performance, personal development in both teachers and students should also be one of the end goals of schooling.
Elementary teachers are qualified teachers with a master’s degree, says Dr Rozainee (source: UKM)
Recruit and Empower Good, Quality Teachers
In relation to this view, Asma’ Abdul Muhaimin, a part-time English teacher at an English centre, believed the current education system is not designed to screen for good quality teachers who in turn deserve at least the same (if not more) benefits that are received by those working corporate.
“Also, the mentality that teachers should not be paid as much as those working corporations is a problem,” she said.
An associate dean in UKM, Prof Dr Rozainee Khairudin feels that we should take a look at Finland, where their education is the best one in the world.
“Their elementary teachers are qualified teachers with a master’s degree and teaching is a professional job where it is ranked very high in the country,” she said.
Therefore, improving teachers’ pay will attract more qualified graduates into the profession and double as an investment to enable existing teachers to upskill themselves locally or abroad.
Teachers perform an instrumental role in nurturing and developing the professionals and specialists of the future.
On another note, Noor Farah Noordin, a mental health Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) trainer for mental health shared her perspective in terms of the investment to schools, she said it should be mental health training as our country’s mental health situation has arisen to 43% and it is worrisome.
An educational paper publisher Shareena Khairudin shared with TMR that teachers should have a diploma or degree in early childhood education or child psychology before starting teaching.
“A lot of students suffer from depression and mental illness, as well as bullying nowadays and teachers need to know how to make children feel safe at school,” she shared.
Furthermore, financially wise, she said parents should get education insurance as there are some insurance companies that offer good returns when they reach 18 years old or when they get good results in their exams.
Hence, investment in such is needed so that they do not have to make loans for their children’s education.
Echoing Asma, Shareena said let us set a high standard in teaching skills so that teachers are competent and professional, for example, using the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0 system in teaching as it develops a more innovative and creative teaching system.
Plus, virtual learning is the way forward and students need to be exposed to IR 4.0 and Industry 5.0. Subjects need to be customised to be on par with the changing technology relevant to the job-seeking populace.
From a parent’s point of view, echoing Dr Anuar’s sentiments, Mohd Karim Mohd Sanusi, father of three children, said we need to upgrade IT facilities such as providing projectors so teachers do not need to waste time writing.
“Also, it is good to provide lockers for each class so students do not need to carry heavy bags to school. Plus, it is crucial to fix and maintain students’ toilets and schools should have functional water dispensers,” he said.
- This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition