Contributions, Visits To Schools Must Follow MOE Guidelines — Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- All forms of contributions or external involvement, including by dignitaries and politicians, in institutions under the Ministry of Education (MOE) must comply with existing guidelines, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said today.

She said all forms of contributions or public funding must be channelled in accordance with the provisions outlined in the MOE’s Circular Letter No. 3 of 2018: Guidelines on Channelling and Receiving Contributions from the Private and Non-Private Sectors to Government Schools and Government-Aided Schools under the MOE, dated March 29, 2018.

“These contributions are also meant to ensure professional interaction within educational institutions and to prioritise the safety, well-being and welfare of the school community,” she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) regarding the procedures for organisations, such as companies, foundations, or elected representatives, to make contributions to schools.

Fadhlina said any visit or involvement by dignitaries and politicians is also subject to compliance with MOE’s Circular Letter No. 4 of 2023: Guidelines on Invitations or Visits by Dignitaries and Politicians to Educational Institutions under the MOE, dated Feb 21, 2023.

“These two sets of guidelines are important to ensure that contributions and external involvement are conducted prudently, with a focus on educational benefits and in line with the principles of transparency and harmony within the school ecosystem,” she said.

In response to a supplementary question from Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) on the assurance that the MOE would review the syllabus to align with current market needs, Fadhlina said the ministry has a system to help students choose educational and career pathways that match their qualifications and interests.

“These students are guided by counsellors and teachers, and based on their academic results and co-curricular involvement, they are able to identify suitable courses to pursue, especially after SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia),” she said.

Earlier, in response to Lo’s original question, Fadhlina said the MOE is strengthening efforts to improve graduate employability through the Malaysia Education Development Plan (PPPM) 2026–2035, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in line with current needs and global competition.

She said the new plan will focus on five main pillars — quality, access and equity, resource availability and efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability — with curriculum alignment to market realities and the integration of AI technology.

“The DELIMa digital learning platform, which was launched in July 2019, also provides 16 AI applications such as Gemini, ChatGPT, Bing AI and Conker AI to assist teachers in planning lessons, preparing quizzes, and creating educational resources that enhance productivity and the quality of teaching and learning,” she said.

Lo had asked how the PPPM 2026–2035 would be strengthened to improve graduate employability through the adoption of technologies such as AI and TVET in line with current needs and global competitiveness, given that there were 160,000 unemployed in Sabah and 600,000 nationwide still jobless as of 2024.

-- BERNAMA