Education reform urgent for Sabah's future - Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU (May 28): The transformation of the state's education system is an urgent necessity, not a choice, to ensure Sabah's students are equipped to face future challenges, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
He said recent research data from 2024 revealed that only 65 per cent of students demonstrated good or excellent problem-solving skills, while just 72 per cent felt confident applying scientific knowledge in daily life.
'This clearly shows that we cannot be complacent. Many students still struggle to grasp fundamental STEM concepts. Therefore, education reform must be a top priority for all stakeholders,' he said when officiating the Astounding Research Innovation STEM Exploration (ARISE) 2025 International Education Research Conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Wednesday.
He emphasized that research- and innovation-based teaching approaches must be strengthened and mainstreamed to ensure Sabah's education system remains relevant, inclusive and competitive.
He also urged educators, educational institutions, researchers and policymakers to continue exploring and enhancing educational strategies that align with the digital era and current industry needs.
Hajiji said ARISE 2025, which gathered over 600 participants from both local and international institutions, including from the United Kingdom, Spain, the Philippines, China and Ireland, serves as a vital platform to pioneer global education collaboration.
'This conference not only brings together educators, researchers and policymakers from around the world, but also promotes the empowerment of education rooted in science, technology, and culture,' he said.
He also underlined the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education as key drivers in developing high-quality, competitive and innovative human capital in Sabah.
In that regard, he noted that the state government has allocated RM41.75 million this year to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah (KSTI), the Sabah Skills and Training Centre (SSTC), and the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre for the implementation of various training and skills empowerment programmes.
Among the key initiatives, he said, are Kembara Sains Borneo, Sabah Science Carnival, Technology and Innovation Competitions, STEM Education Festival, Roboneo Programme, and Sabah Screen Fest – all of which serve as vital platforms to spark student interest in technology and engineering.
Hajiji also welcomed the presentation of 13 sub-themes at the conference, covering areas such as digital education, Malay studies, Islamic education, guidance and counselling, sports science, visual arts, and early childhood education.
He expressed confidence that this exchange of knowledge would foster international collaboration and elevate the global profile of researchers and educational institutions in Sabah.
'Educators are the heart and backbone of successful education transformation. I call on them to boldly explore research and innovation in education,' he said.
According to him, the conference also reflects the state government's commitment under the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 2021–2025, which prioritizes education as a catalyst for sustainable state development.
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