THERE is a need to look into issues and challenges of using Malay in vocational and technical training. Raising awareness of the language and its importance in both ( vocational and technical) fields must also be emphasised to teachers, students and employers, said Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
Idris was speaking at the opening of the Conference to Uphold the Malay Language in Education and Vocational and Technical Training held in Putrajaya on Thursday. He added that the conference theme was in line with the government’s goals of establishing the Malay language as a language of knowledge.
He added that all must be done to “improve and increase the production of Malay reference materials, journals and scholarly writings used in education and in vocational and technical training.”
The conference, organised by the Polytechnic Education Department was held in conjunction with National Language Month. One of the objectives of the conference was to increase Malay human resource skills in the vocational and technical sector.
The department’s director-general Datuk Mohlis Jaafar added the conference would also raise public awareness on the role of Bahasa Melayu in improving the marketability of graduates in the country.
Idris said he was prepared to meet the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to explain the poor management of security services in schools, as reported in the Auditor-General’s Report 2012.
He said that measures would be taken to ensure this was not repeated in future, reported Bernama,
“We have to take full responsibility for what happened and answer the questions raised by the PAC. We will also explain the positive steps taken by the ministry to resolve this issue,” added Idris.
PAC chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed had said that the committee was not satisfied with an explanation given by the ministry’s representatives on the poor management of security services in schools.
He added that among the drawbacks were irregular payments to private security companies and the poor service quality of security guards.
The STAR Online Home News Education 01/12/2013