Study on educating migrant children
Published on: Friday, November 16, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The issue of allowing non-citizen children to enrol in schools will be studied thoroughly by the Education and Innovation Ministry.Its Minister Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said the findings will also be submitted to the Federal Government."I am aware that with the current condition of the schools in the State, it would be worsen if we allow these (non-citizen) children to enrol into our schools," he said during his winding up speech, at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, Wednesday.
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"However, at the moment, there are community learning centres handled by the government of our neighbouring country in estates in the State."Yusof said what is more important is a coordination effort between the State Government and the State Education Department."These children should be provided with education, if not, they will cause more problems in future."At their age, they should be in schools, instead of loitering around town.
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"If the government do not have a clear policy on this, they would grow up being illiterate…and they will not understand the law and ended up breaking rules and regulations."They could also be exploited for criminal activities, and that is why I think all children in the State should be given a place to study," he said.
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As such, the issue should be further discussed so that it will not persist.He also said that drastic measures should be taken to overcome the problems faced by the education sector in Sabah."Sabah is facing a serious problem on education, especially on infrastructure. Some 707 schools in the State are dilapidated."And the government has planned to improve these schools."Towards this end, he hoped future improvement projects will be handled by the State Public Works Department as it has proven a good track record in completing such projects."Our teachers are passionate about teaching and I have visited dilapidated schools in several districts."I salute the teachers for their determination to teach even though they have to face infrastructural shortcomings…our students, too, are bright but the unconducive learning ecosystem has hampered their progress," he said.He added, that is why the State Education and Innovation Ministry is pursuing for the devolution of powers from the Federal Government on matters relating to education."It is not our intention to change the national education policy, but we actually want the State Government the powers to make several decisions, like giving priority for school improvement."Currently the State Education Department will submit their proposals to the Federal Government, but due to the officials there do not comprehend the actual situation which led to a mismatch in allocations."If this situation continue, then the education problems in Sabah could not be solved. "Drastic measures have to be taken as there are still many schools which need to be repaired and the allocation given by the Federal Government for this purpose is only RM100 million."Yusof also disclosed that the ministry will offer skill training courses for all SPM school leavers."Based on our records, only half of the total number of school leavers in Sabah will further their studies in tertiary education, every year."We will try to organise training for all school leavers so that those who do not make it to local or private higher learning institutions can undergo technical and vocational courses."And we are in the midst of setting up more technical and vocational training centres in Sabah," he said.Meanwhile, he said that he has no qualms for opposition elected representatives to visit schools in their constituencies.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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