KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong stated that Chinese and Tamil schools are not hindrances to national unity, emphasizing that multi-stream education celebrates Malaysia’s multiculturalism and has produced numerous multilingual talents across different sectors. He highlighted that over 20% of students in Chinese schools are non-Chinese, debunking claims that vernacular schools cause disunity.
Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebration of MCA at Wisma MCA, Dr Wee emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to address the declining performance in mathematics and science, which he believes reflect a country’s overall strength, especially in the era of artificial intelligence. The recent 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) results ranking Malaysia 51st out of 81 countries, particularly in math and science, have spurred calls for urgent action.
Dr Wee proposed utilizing the expertise of TAR UMT and UTAR in science and technology by forming a committee of professionals and academics to study Malaysia’s current weaknesses in math and science and propose policy solutions. He also stressed the importance of vocational education in shaping a skilled workforce, highlighting the role of VTAR Institute in Malaysia’s industrialization journey.
Stressing the need for VTAR’s expansion to accommodate more students and offer diverse courses, Dr Wee called for a 10-year roadmap to solidify VTAR Institute’s position as a top vocational institute in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. He believes that by nurturing skilled professionals through vocational education, Malaysia can strengthen its standing as a hub for vocational training, akin to renowned schools in Singapore.
