Abang Johari (second right) shakes hands with Poh after the unveiling of the St. Joseph’s International School plaque yesterday. Also seen are (from left) Leo Moggie, Sim and Manyin. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The national education policy should be definitive as it holds the key for our future
Abang Johari (second right) visits St. Joseph’s International School’s science lab after the official launch yesterday. Also seen are (from second left) Poh, Sim and Leo Moggie.
generations to be relevant in the future.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg stated this at the official launch of St. Joseph’s International School here yesterday.
“Education is about giving our children knowledge. When it involves polemics, this year we will see policy A, next year we will see policy B which create inconsistency,” said Abang Johari.
He lamented that with the presence of such inconsistencies, students would be at the losing end as seen in the declining standard of English.
“I am not saying that our national education policy is not good but English is an international language. This is why Sarawak is keen on preserving the English language as the other official language of Sarawak,” said Abang Johari who vowed to continue the stand passed down from previous chief ministers.
In view of globalisation and the Industrial Revolution 4.0, mastering the English language, he added, cannot be avoided as most new technological devices are run in English.
Touching on the launch of the St. Joseph’s International School, Abang Johari said international schools have their own curriculum which prepares students to sit for international examinations.
“An international school will also enable our students to be accepted in any reputable international institution of learning,” he pointed out.
He expressed his confidence that the school will be able to nurture students who are wholly prepared to integrate and transcend with the international community in a globalised world.
“Nowadays, knowledge is universal. Therefore, outlook has to be universal and this becomes the basis to understand each other,” he added.
Reiterating the emphasis on education in Sarawak, he said the state government formed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research headed by Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.
The state government, he continued, has also permitted and invested in international universities in the state such as Curtin University and Swinburne Sarawak.
“That is a worthwhile investment because the results will be long term. This is where our students are given the chance to mix with students from overseas to enhance their cultural interaction and understanding. At the same time, they are also able to explore new ideas,” he concluded.
Among those present at the launch were the Archbishop of Kuching Archdiocese Simon Poh, chairman of St. Joseph’s Private School board of governors Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Sim Kui Hian and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.