SHAH ALAM: The government has been urged to implement education reform by establishing an Education Commission and strengthening Parent-Teacher Associations.
National Union of the Teaching Profession president Aminuddin Awang said an Education Commission would ensure education policies are implemented within set timelines, free from political influence.
He stated the commission would act as a supervisory body for national education policies, preventing changes that disadvantage future generations.
“I support the establishment of an Education Commission because every time there is a change in leadership or minister, teachers are left uncertain about which new policies will be introduced,“ he said at an education reform forum.
Aminuddin noted that new appointees often link policies to themselves to be remembered, a tradition needing reform due to its impact on education personnel.
He emphasised that policy changes with each ministry leadership transition create persistent challenges for teachers.
“Therefore, I strongly support the establishment of an Education Commission to ensure leadership is held accountable and carries out duties in line with national education policy,“ he added.
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Md Amin Md Taff emphasised that PTA roles should be strengthened for student success.
He said student achievement and character development depend on close collaboration between parents and teachers.
Md Amin stated PTA roles can be enhanced by encouraging parents to attend meetings regularly and provide active input.
He highlighted the United States model where parents observe learning sessions and assist teachers for seven days annually.
“In Malaysia, there appears to be a disconnect between society and schools, with parents leaving all responsibilities to the school,“ he noted.
Senator Dr Jufitri Joha said strengthening PTAs requires dedicated government funding in the national budget.
The Selangor government allocated RM1,000 to each school PTA last year to support their programmes.
The forum marked Selangor as the first state to convene multi-stakeholder discussion on education challenges and future direction. – Bernama
