Malaysia’s government has allocated MYR56 billion to the education sector – twice the amount invested by other ASEAN nations, said prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The money will go into improving the quality of education as well as making it accessible to all citizens.
The move is in line with the government’s plans to transform the nation and prepare it for Industry 4.0.
"Computer skills, coding will be implemented in the education system. STEM and mathematical engineering would be focused on. Dual language education would be strengthened," he said.
The government is committed to providing an education that equips students with the means to determine their fate better, he added, in addition to its role as a nation-building tool.
Speaking at a district-level celebration of Teachers’ Day and Education Excellence, he said that the availability and access of education in Malaysia today pushes students as individuals to realise their potential and aspirations.
"It is not limited to…his skin colour, or his socio-economic status, but his determination to achieve success," he said.
"I wish to see students possess knowledge, higher-order thinking skills, leadership, dual-language (proficiency), spirituality, and national identity.”
Najib also added that he strives to ensure that the welfare of teachers are continuously taken care of.
He noted that the government had recently introduced a promotion system in order to widen teachers’ opportunity for career advancement, reported the New Straits Times.