Review will address declining interest in Science and Maths, says Muhyiddin

The decline in interest among students for Science and Mathematics in schools is being addressed in the review of the national education system, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, also Education Minister, said the comprehensive review was expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next year.

He said this at the “Strengthening Professionalism of Perak Educators” event here yesterday.

Muhyiddin had been asked to comment on newspaper reports regarding the drop in interest among students for Science subjects and Mathematics in schools.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi recently was reported as saying that the ministry was viewing the matter seriously as there was a 37% drop in students taking up Science and Mathematics, and a 29% decline for pure science subjects.

Muhyiddin said the experts handling the review would be making their recommendations, and the Education Ministry would use the input in its decision making.

At another function, Muhyiddin called on all parties to stop linking the Government to scandals involving certain individuals.

Speaking to reporters after the “Public Service Mentoring Programme and Perak Educators’ Dialogue with the Deputy Prime Minister” event here, he advised them not to make assumptions that all scandals involved the Govern-ment.

Commenting on a statement by former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin that Barisan Nasional would not win big in the next general election following scandals involving certain individuals, Muhyiddin said: “We’ll consider his views. We’ll take it in our stride and work harder.”

He added that Barisan had a record of standing in each parliamentary constituency and state seat.

“So when Tun (Daim) says we won’t achieve two-thirds (majority), we’ll try to get it,” he said. — Bernama