KUALA LUMPUR: The future needs of bumiputra education requires bold political commitment to ensure public investment yields fair returns, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
The Higher Education Minister said all parties must avoid resting on statistical achievements and focus instead on the quality of human capital to make the bumiputra education agenda effective.
“Don’t betray this duty by getting complacent or settling for numbers on paper.
“We have a moral duty to future generations, to leave them with a much better education system than the one we inherited,” he said at the opening of the 2026 Bumiputra Education Congress, which gathered over 5,000 academics, professionals and students for Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Zambry, who is Barisan Nasional secretary-general, said education goes beyond social mobility as it is a chance for the nation to reflect on its position in a fast-changing world.
He said education gaps must be tackled from early childhood and not left until university.
Zambry added that a nation’s strength is in the quality of its knowledge and values.
“Real education creates not just smart thinkers but people who grasp (the weight of) responsibility, values and civilisation.
“We aim to build bumiputra generations who will be strong in knowledge, skills, creativity, confidence and moral character,” he said.
Zambry said the congress’ findings will be shaped into a national resolution for top government leaders to adopt as a priority in the National Education Council.
The congress focused on mainstreaming tahfiz streams, boosting Technical and Vocational Education and Training, early childhood education and creating an education waqf model to sustain the bumiputra agenda.
