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PIBGN calls for more subject options in schools

Jan 30, 2019

The National Parents and Teachers Association has welcomed the government's move to make schooling compulsory until Form 5. 

But its President Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hassan says he wants more study options to be given to secondary students, for them to choose what they actually like. 

He says this could help reduce cases of high school dropouts.

"They should give extra or variety of streaming; whether they want to go vocational school, technical school, entrepreneurship, or arts, so that it's in need for them for their career later on. We do not want to stress, or the Ministry to stress, to make them study academics only. I think we should give them options so that they can widen their skills."

He adds, there are many reasons why students choose to drop out.

"Perhaps they are not interested in the academic line. Perhaps financial assistance which they needed, they couldn't have at that secondary level. Maybe it's because of family problems and they need to work and spend time before perhaps, pursuing their studies. Other factors could include health and medical reasons."

Earlier, the Education Ministry said it plans to extend compulsory schooling from Year 6, to Form 5. 

Parents who fail to send their children to school could face a fine of up to RM5,000 or six months in jail.