JOHOR is looking to Sarawak for ideas to strengthen its efforts for a more holistic and industry-oriented education ecosystem.
State education and information committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali led a Johor delegation to Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry (MEITD) and Sarawak Foundation to study their initiatives.
Among areas examined were teacher quality and competency, school facilities, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and English proficiency, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), talent development based on industry needs, as well as research and innovation.
“It was not merely to observe, but to learn, understand and bring home best practices that can be adapted to the educational needs of children in Johor,” said Dr Muhammad Naqib.
He said Sarawak government’s initiatives, including the Dual Language Programme (DLP) and UP-DLP (assessment test), SPEAK: Talent Bridge 2030 (career guidance system) and TalentPath Sarawak 2026 offered useful insights.
He also said that Sarawak’s approach to higher education, including free tertiary education for students in 64 selected courses at four state-linked institutions, was another area that the delegation noted.
“Some of these approaches are aligned with what we are pursuing in Johor through the Sekolah Rintis Bangsa Johor (SRBJ) and Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC).”
Dr Muhammad Naqib said there were also new ideas that the delegation would study before determining their suitability for Johor.
He said the benchmarking exercise also covered the operations of the Sarawak Foundation International Secondary School (YSISS) which offers the Cambridge/International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum while providing opportunities for students from lower-income families.
“This approach has similarities with the aspirations we are pursuing through SRBJ.
“Therefore, the sharing of its implementation model, management and student development is valuable as we seek to strengthen SRBJ,” he added.
Dr Muhammad Naqib said Sarawak Foundation’s experience in managing education assistance on a state-wide scale also provided useful input for Johor Education Foundation (YPJ), particularly in improving the application, eligibility verification, and distribution processes.
The Panti assemblyman said the aim was to ensure assistance was delivered more efficiently and reaches those who genuinely needed it.
“We do not need to be shy about learning from the successes of other states.
“We learn from what is good, adapt what is suitable and develop what can be improved according to the Johor context,” he said.
He added that the delegation also visited the Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry at the Sarawak Science Centre in Kuching and was received by its Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Dr Muhammad Naqib said the experience and knowledge gained from the visit would be further studied and translated into initiatives that could add value to education, talent development and opportunities for children in Johor.
