KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is currently fine-tuning the guidelines and mechanism for the entry of volunteer English teachers from Singapore.
Its minister Fadhlina Sidek said the proposed scheme to bring in voluntary English teachers from Singapore to help improve language proficiency is not a new practice in this country.
"We are fine-tuning the guidelines and mechanisms for managing the entry of these volunteers into Malaysia because it is not a new practice.
"We have previously implemented this with the United States and South Korea for the Korean language. Hence, I don't think it will be difficult to implement.
"In fact, we welcome (the move) because its importance is not only in terms of diplomacy between Malaysia and Singapore but also in enhancing the English proficiency of our children," she said to the media after the launch of the Merdeka 2024 Collection by Prospec KPM X Fazura here today.
Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government is considering a potential scheme with the Singaporean government to bring teachers from Singapore to volunteer in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak to teach English.
Anwar said these discussions were aimed at strengthening relationships with neighbouring countries, including Singapore.
In terms of the establishment of a special committee to address education-related issues, including the difficulties faced by students in the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak, Fadhlina said the committee has been functioning well so far.
She added that many issues have also been resolved, including providing the directors of the State Education Department to approve the development projects in Sabah and Sarawak.
"This is an important achievement and therefore, this committee will continue to be part of the ministry's commitment, particularly in addressing education issues in Sabah and Sarawak," she said.
She also said other issues under the ministry's jurisdiction are being addressed, including the development of dilapidated schools, shortages of teachers, the maintenance of rural schools and student development.
"We have established six national education reform agendas and we do not want Sabah and Sarawak to be excluded from the approaches and reforms we are implementing at the national level.
"We are also in the process of ensuring they are not left behind, particularly in the fields of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology (STEM), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital literacy, Malay language, English language, preschool education and curriculum interventions," she said.