Ensuring equitable education access for all: Fadhlina outlines ambitious goals

SHAH ALAM - In a concerted effort to provide universal access to education for all Malaysians, the Education Ministry has taken significant strides through the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013–2025 (PPPM), outlining a comprehensive framework with five core aspirations: access, quality, equity, unity, and efficiency.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has expressed her commitment to ensuring that every school-age child, regardless of geographical location, economic status, or gender, receives equal access to a high-quality education.

"The ultimate goal is to cultivate intellectually adept Malaysians equipped with strong values, skills, and well-being.

"Under the aegis of PPPM, the Education Ministry is poised to roll out the District Transformation Programme, a strategic initiative designed to empower state education departments (JPN) and district education offices (PPD) to spearhead targeted interventions aimed at enhancing school performance.

"Our upcoming endeavors also encompass the professional empowerment of education service officers, with particular emphasis on educators and lecturers.

"We intend to introduce a meticulously structured, job-grade and career-path-aligned continuous professional development programme," Fadhlina told Sinar Daily recently.

Elaborating further, Fadhlina stressed that the primary objective is to consistently reinforce the professionalism of teachers, thereby contributing to the realisation of students' aspirational goals.

For remote rural locales, Fadhlina has also pledged to furnish digital devices and internet broadband connections.

This endeavor aims to ensure educators and students in these areas have reliable and stable internet connectivity for seamless teaching and learning experiences.

"In our commitment to facilitating holistic learning, the ministry is also resolute in offering financial support and supplementary meal plans for students belonging to the B40 group.

"This initiative, commencing from the preschool level, is aimed at curbing the risk of dropouts and absenteeism," Fadhlina added.

Fadhlina also highlighted forthcoming initiatives, including the Empowerment of Students with Special Educational Needs (MBPK) and the Inclusive Education Programme (PPI).

"These programmes are designed to foster interaction and inclusion among all students, promoting a harmonious learning environment," she said.

Highlighting the significance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), Fadhlina disclosed that students can now embark on their TVET journey at Vocational Colleges at the age of 15.

"Upon completing a comprehensive two-year curriculum, students will earn their coveted Malaysian Vocational Diploma," she added.

"Beyond TVET, I am committed to enhancing the learning environment by modernising infrastructures in identified schools that require upgrading.

"Our dedication extends to ensuring that all schools boast functional fundamental infrastructure, including facilities catering to MBPK requirements," Fadhlina said.