Reform The Education System, No Time To Cut Corners

BusinessToday

22-06-2025

In recent years, concerns regarding the state of education in Malaysia have been raised across various platforms, with social media providing a space for both parents and citizens to express their frustrations.
Issues such as teenagers struggling to form coherent English sentences, alongside the widespread use of shortcuts in the national Malay language, have compromised proper language use and understanding, affecting other educational areas such as STEM, which relies heavily on clear and precise language to foster innovation and problem-solving. These discussions highlight a growing concern about the quality of education.
The Education Ministry (MOE) must address this issue immediately because the stagnation in Malaysia's education system is not simply reflected in statistics; it directly affects the nation's long-term competitiveness and its ability to prosper in the global market.
If Malaysia is to realise its full potential, education must be treated as a priority, and its focus must be broadened beyond superficial aspects like the Jalur Gemilang badges or shoe colour.
MOE should be focusing on more substantial matters such as academic standards, student well-being and access to quality education for all.
Statistics from the Human Rights Measurement Initiative revealed that Malaysia is falling short in terms of education rights. The country ranks third-lowest in ASEAN for education rights, ahead of only Brunei and Laos, with a score of only 67.5%.
Even more troubling, this score has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, suggesting little progress has been made. This is worrying, as it indicates that we are not fully utilising the potential of our educational system, particularly when compared to other nations with similar economic standing.
This underperformance is not an issue to be taken lightly. Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and cutting corners in this area not only jeopardises the future of Malaysians but also limits the nation's broader growth and global competitiveness.
If Malaysia is to thrive on the international stage, we cannot afford to neglect our education system. Additionally, the shift towards an exam-oriented system, focused on memorisation rather than fostering true understanding, points to a deeper, systemic issue within our educational framework.
Furthermore, every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background, ethnicity or legal status.
Denying this rights stifle potential, perpetuates inequality, and undermines the nation's progress.
These challenges are most acutely felt by the most vulnerable in society. People with disabilities, those from lower social or economic backgrounds, street children and indigenous communities continue to face significant barriers to accessing quality education.
The lack of equal opportunities for these groups only deepens educational inequality and reinforces socio-economic disparities.
Only by addressing these systemic issues can Malaysia hope to unlock its full potential and secure its position as a competitive force in the global economy.
Education is a right, not a luxury, and ensuring this right for all is essential in creating a more equitable future for the nation.
The above commentary is by MCA Education Consultative Committee Deputy Chairperson Felicia Wong Yin Ting Related