Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says education must nurture ethical, socially responsible individuals, recalling the founding of Yayasan Anda Akademik.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated that good education must nurture ethical and socially responsible individuals, not just academic excellence.
He said this principle was the basis for founding Yayasan Anda Akademik (YAA) in 1971 to give school dropouts a second chance through education.
“The philosophy behind YAA is the belief that education should not be exclusive or dismissive, but empowering and humane,” he said.
Anwar’s speech text was read by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari at the launch of the book *Bangkit Semula: Memoir Warga Yayasan Anda Akademik*.
He said YAA was established driven by deep concern over student dropouts from low-income families.
The Prime Minister said YAA was built on idealism, volunteerism, and faith in human potential, calling it a “school of life”.
“YAA was conceived as a modest initiative with a big soul, to offer second chances to the less fortunate,” he added.
Anwar said YAA has provided a structured learning environment enabling students to resume secondary and pre-university education.
He added that YAA’s philosophy of *Insan Akademis yang Bertakwa* remains relevant for building a Malaysia MADANI.
Anwar described the book as a social history documenting the struggles of those who believed in education as liberation.
“The book presents the voices of educators, administrators and alumni, real human stories of falling and rising,” he said.
He stated the book carries a moral message that resilient societies learn from their past and transform wounds into strength.
*Bangkit Semula: Memoir Warga Yayasan Anda Akademik* compiles true stories from YAA teachers, students, and alumni.
The nearly 400-page book includes a foreword by Anwar as YAA’s founder and former director.
