Manyin signs the plaque to officiate at the opening of the new blocks at SK Siniawan. Also seen is Miro (back row, third right).
KUCHING: Headmasters and teachers in Sarawak must not rely too much on parents if they want to see improvement in the academic performance of their students.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin points out that generally, family members especially the parents who are always involved in the education of their young ones, would produce children who fare better in their studies,
However, he opines that this is not necessarily the case in Sarawak at the moment, in that there are still many parents, especially those in the rural areas, who are illiterate.
“I am not looking down at anybody, but we have to admit this fact – there are still many parents in Sarawak who are uneducated.
“If they are uneducated, how do you expect them to teach their children at home? So headmasters and teachers – don’t rely too much on the parents when it comes to improving the students’ academic performance in your schools,” he said at the opening of new blocks at SK Siniawan near here yesterday.
Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyman, also called upon principals, headmasters and teachers to not make the dilapidated school condition as an excuse for not being able to produce good students who could do well in public examinations. Instead, he told them to see and treat the situation as a challenge.
“It is the responsibility of the principals, headmasters and teachers to ensure that every student does well in their academics. If you fail to take your students to the expected level, don’t blame others. Just admit (that it is) your mistake, because we all have to learn from our mistakes.”
Manyin also said every principal, headmaster and teacher in Sarawak must strive to improve the state’s performance in all public examinations.
In this regard, he said Sarawak had been on the 14th or 15th ranking in average overall student passes in public examinations, out of 16 since the Independence.
He said his ministry had set a target of 30 per cent improvement this year and to achieve this, every district had been asked to plan and implement certain programmes.
“We will continue to improve our target, and as we set a higher target the following year, you cannot rely on the same programmes.
“Therefore, I urge every principal and headmaster in Sarawak to always change their programmes in line with their new targets,” he said.
Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh was also present at the event.