KUCHING: The Sarawak government is documenting 15 items related to the implementation of education autonomy in Sarawak.
State Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the documentation of the items, which has been agreed upon, was being carried out by his team in collaboration with the Education Ministry on the federal level.
He described the 15 items as "comprehensive", as part of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
"It is aimed at the devolution of powers in education within the framework of paragraph 17 of the 1962 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report.
"The documentation of the 15 items is to make it easier for us to put it into a circular so that the implementation goes smoothly."
He said this when replying to a question by Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing (GPS-Meradong) who wanted to know the status of the devolution of powers in Sarawak at the state assembly sitting here today.
Dr Annuar said the 15 items decided upon in the negotiations related to education autonomy would allow the state education director to approve any project funded by the Sarawak government, as well as other parties, without having to wait for approval from Putrajaya.
"It will improve the process and project implementation funded by the state government as many rural transformation projects and minor rural projects have been delayed due to bureaucracy."
The state Education Department could also be allowed to approve any educational activity or programme funded by the state government.
"We are also allowed to continue using English as the medium of instruction, not only in primary schools but also in secondary schools, especially in Additional Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
"The Sarawak government is now allowed to participate in the planning of school projects and make evaluations on the dual language programme. We are also allowed to be given more funding for teachers' development programmes."
Dr Annuar said his ministry and the Education Ministry were studying whether the agreed items could be included in regulations or any form of amendments to the statutes.
This was necessary, he said, for compliance and continuity in whatever the agreed items were between the Sarawak and federal governments.
"This is because every time there is a change of minister or government, there will be a change of policy, but for MA63, we don't want it to happen again.
"So we are studying in-depth whether we can make it a regulation or in the amendments (to law) because there are some items outside the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry."