Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, the Deputy Education Minister had clarified over a recent newspaper report that there were 80,000 school dropouts from 2006-2010 from secondary schools around the country. He was first reported that the Education Ministry had conducted a study on why the 80,000 student did not continue to secondary schools and it was found that they were lacking in interest.

He said that not all of them stopped education as some has gone on to enroll into private schools as well as other options. So with all that, it seems that all is good within the system? Dr Wee said that the figures also did not bring into account those who are home-schooled as well as pupils who have travelled overseas with their parents.

The findings of the study showed that the lost interests were because the syllabus in the secondary school was attractive. Hence, the ministry is trying to make it more ‘attractive’. Seriously, is this how the ministry works?

For the 80,000, if one takes into account those who are homeschooled or those who have gone overseas, it would probably be a few hundred more and that would not have any implications. We are talking about dropping out of secondary school from primary school. Where would one be without secondary education these days? Obviously, the ‘dropouts’ have gone on for better alternatives because the current system is getting from bad to worse.

There is no need to make syllabus more ‘attractive’. The need is to make the syllabus relevant. It is important that the quality of education is made the priority. One does not see a point in continuing in the public education system because there really is no future. Going private will be seen as better as quality is higher.

The fact with the dropouts here is because the people are losing confidence in the public education system, and this has nothing to do with it being unattractive.