KAJANG: The Education Ministry encourages school graduation ceremonies to be held in a simple yet lively atmosphere and full of appreciation to celebrate all students.
Minister Fadhlina Sidek, however, said discussions with parents and the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) at their respective schools are the basis for the graduation ceremony.
"Discussion and consultation with the PTA is very important and must be completed at the school-level. If there are objections, it must be taken into consideration," she told reporters after gracing the Chinese New Year celebration and presentation of Early Schooling Aid 2024 at Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Yu Hua here today.
Fadhlina said this in response to parents' complaints regarding the organisation of student graduation ceremonies at luxury hotels which are considered burdensome.
On Tuesday, the Melaka Education Department issued a directive on guidelines for organising student graduation ceremonies at the school-level as a step to prevent parents from being burdened by such events.
On opinions by certain quarters to revive Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3), Fadhlina said the ministry was strengthening aspects in assessments while focusing on the 2027 School Curriculum.
"We will hear all opinions related to the examinations (UPSR and PT3). The country's direction at this moment is to emphasise upon science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and technical and vocational training (TVET), English and digital (knowledge).
"We urge all quarters to give their full support to strengthen our ecosystem, particularly on these four aspects so we could further boost our education. And it is also important for the ministry at this time to oversee the expansion of preschool education," she said. BERNAMA
