KUALA LUMPUR: It has been less than two weeks since Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was appointed the interim Education Minister but the premier already has "some ideas" on how to improve the education system.
The prime minister, however, stressed that he was still in the process of attending briefings to understand the role of the ministry.
“I was just appointed as the acting minister (for education). I am in the process of attending briefings on the functions and responsibilities of the ministry.
“And I am also in discussion with some friends.
“At the moment, I have some idea on what needs to be done in order to improve the education system,” he told reporters after attending a Bank Rakyat Conversation Session: Legacies in Transition – Reinvent or Retain programme here today.
Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof and Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Noripah Kamso were present.
Dr Mahathir was appointed as the interim Education Minister effective Jan 3. He takes over from Simpang Renggam member of parliament, Dr Maszlee Malik, who had announced his resignation as the minister on Jan 2.
When asked to elaborate on the ideas he gathered to improve the country’s education system, Dr Mahathir said there were several matters that needed to be reviewed.
“I have provided several matters which need to be reviewed. We are also aware that there are several quarters who had provided some advice (on the country’s education system).
“We will look into their advice and recommendations and decide if we need to conduct changes or otherwise.
“The ministry’s intention is clear. We want to educate our children so that they could lead a perfect life, eke a living, work and become a productive person.
“We do not want our children (when they grow up) to become solely dependent on assistance (from the government),” he said.
When asked if he has identified any candidate to assume the Education Minister’s post, Dr Mahathir replied: “I have not decided on many things.
“I have only become the acting education minister for a short while.”
When asked if the ministry has made any decision on the calls to recognize the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), Dr Mahathir said he was still in the process of studying the matter.
On the calls from National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) for the government to consider adding Influenza A to the list of six infectious diseases, Dr Mahathir said he was still thinking about the matter.