Tawau: The Education Ministry will focus on the development of rural schools to narrow the gap of such schools with those in the urban areas. Deputy Minister I, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, said this was based on the 2013-2025 National Education Plan covering from physical, academic, teaching and learning improvements to addressing the issues raised by the communities.
She said the Government intends to instil the equality concept in the national education system.
For Sabah, she said, the ministry will focus on mastering the English language in primary schools in the rural areas as it is considered a 'killer subject' in examinations.
"We do not want the gap on the use of the language to widen. This is why the Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) wants the matter to be addressed immediately," she said.
She said the ministry has given the power to all the State Education Departments to set goals as the performance of schools varies from each state and district.
She said this when officiating at the 2013 Teachers' Day dinner, which was attended by principals from various primary schools here.
Earlier, Mary told the district Education Officer to reactivate the Teachers English Club immediately to ensure the mastery of the global language among students.
She also gave her assurance that she will attend to proper requests and appeals from schools and communities to the ministry.
