KOTA KINABALU: Education development and human capital growth continue to be one of Sabah's priorities, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said this commitment is seen through the state's continued initiative to strengthen collaboration with the Education Ministry to drive educational excellence in its efforts to produce knowledgeable, high-quality and competitive human capital.
He said the state also remains focused on improving educational infrastructure and the welfare of school communities throughout Sabah, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that education remains the primary catalyst for the state's progress.
Hajiji said this at the 50th Sabah and Labuan Secondary School Principals' Education Management Convention at 1Borneo Hypermall on Monday (Aug 3).
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih delivered his speech.
Hajiji said Sabah provides various educational assistance and initiatives to ensure that no Sabahan is denied access to higher education due to financial constraints, including continuing the implementation of education assistance initiatives introduced between 2021 and 2025.
Adding to this, Hajiji said the Malaysia Education Plan 2026-2035 is a continuation of the government's policy to further strengthen the national education system so that it remains responsive to the needs of the times while being inclusive.
He said the plan was formulated as a strategic compass to ensure the country's education system remains relevant, competitive and human-centred in meeting the challenges of the coming decade.
"It represents the nation's strategic direction, recognising education as a fundamental right for all while serving as one of the key drivers of the country's social and economic advancement," he said.
Later, when congratulating the Sabah Secondary School Principals' Association on successfully organising the convention, Hajiji said he fully supports the association's efforts to make the gathering a key platform for developing organisational leaders who remain responsive to the evolving landscape of education.
"We are well aware that the leadership of school principals is a key determinant in the success of the Education Ministry's education transformation agenda.
"Knowledge sharing and synergy such as this are the driving force behind ensuring that the quality of our education continues to reach greater heights," he said.
Hajiji took the chance to congratulate the principals for their efforts in improving Sabah's Average Grade (GPN) from the 5-point range to the 4-point range in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.
"The same goes for the improvement in the 2025 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia results. Achieving a GPN of 4.85 is the best academic performance in Sabah's history to date.
"Indeed, principals and teachers working on the ground are the backbone and the key figures behind every one of these achievements," he said.
