Senior education minister’s a no-show at a meeting to discuss education issues

SHAH ALAM - The Education Ministry’s senior minister was a no-show to a meeting that is supposed to be held today to discuss rising issues that have been plaguing the education system in Malaysia.

In a statement released by the Dewan Rakyat Special Select Committee on Education, Dewan Rakyat’s meeting summons was not heeded by the senior education minister as well as their representatives.

Its chairman Maszlee Malik expressed his disappointment and said that this was not the first time the senior minister have refused to attend a meeting of the Special Select Committee on Education.

“This attitude is very different from what was shown by ministers from other ministries, including the Higher Education Ministry who attended the meeting when they are invited,” he said.

Maszlee said the meeting today was meant to be a platform for the senior minister or their representatives to provide an explanation of the ministry’s Education Achievement Report that they have released to the public.

He said some of the issues required explanation from the ministry including the elimination of major exams without any clear direction or alternative, heavy teaching workloads compelling teachers to early retirement and the rising case of student dropouts.

“Representing the committee, I would like to express my deep regret for the refusal of the senior minister who is arrogant by not cooperating to explain the issues involving the public interest and the future of national education,” he said.

He also pointed out that their refusal to come to the meeting gave an impression that the minister and their deputies were cowards with no transparency and accountability, as well as unprofessional.

In the statement, Maszlee apologised to all parents, children, teachers and all education stakeholders who had been demanding an explanation from the leadership of the Education Ministry.

“We have done our best to represent all of your voices and the voices of the people but unfortunately, the Education Ministry does not respect the voice of the people and the supremacy of the Parliament,” he said.