KOTA KINABALU: State Education Director Datuk Jame Alip called on members of his department as well as school principals, headmasters and teachers to help him in the development of the education in Sabah.
“I cannot develop Sabah alone,” he said in his first address for the year 2014 at the State Federal Government Administration Building’s auditorium.
His speech became emotional as Jame began to cry softly as he recounted the difficult situations teachers and students in the rural parts of Sabah had to endure for the sake of giving and acquiring an education.
“The photographs of our teachers at the rural areas, the (dilapidated) houses and schools, the roads and drainage…I cannot develop (Sabah’s education) alone. I need my deputy, my sector’s heads, the principals and headmasters and teachers,” he said.
Jame, who stopped at several intervals to wipe his eyes, further called on members of the State Education Department to help build the legacy of excellence at their districts, schools and area.
“We must constantly remind ourselves that we are just visitors in this world. Whatever we attain here, we will not be able to bring with us when we die. So we need to give the best that we can to the children. It is a high integrity and noble responsibility that requires a huge sacrifice on our part. Let us continue our struggle without stopping,” he added.
Meanwhile, the department has outlined five key focus areas this year.
This includes the transformation of the District Education Offices whereby each would play a critical role in ensuring the upgrade of education qualities at their respective districts.
The department is also focusing on LINUS. Under the section, all students are required to master the basic literacy in English and Bahasa Melayu as well as in numerical from Primary 1 to Primary 3.
The department is also focusing on improving the expertise of its teachers and students in Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
It also aims to improve the basic infrastructure of all schools in Sabah by the year 2015 and finally, it hopes to increase the opportunity for children to enrol into pre-schools and undergo early school education.
At the same time, Jame also mentioned that the State Education Department aimed towards zero Band 7 and Band 6 schools by 2015.
Schools classified under Band 7 and Band 6 were those that were performing poorly.
“Based on our 2013 composite score analysis, there are no more primary schools (in Sabah) categorised under Band 7. We have 24 primary schools under Band 6. However, there are two secondary schools under Band 7 and 24 secondary schools under Band 6 in 2012. The secondary school performance for the year 2013 will be known when the SPM and STPM examination results are released,” he said.
Also present at the event yesterday was Deputy State Education Director Maimunah Suhaibul.