Education Ministry Urged To Monitor, Control Quality Of IPTS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry has been urged to tighten monitoring and control on the quality of education provided by private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) in the country.

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) said this was most necessary so that the IPTS would not only be driven by profit but was also capable of churning out outstanding graduates who could meet the needs of the employment market.

She said many IPTS were now facing quality issues to the extent that they were perceived as not playing the proper role in promoting the education sector in the country.

"If we look at the number of private tertiary institutions in our country, the problems we are facing include quality issue and how those who set up the IPTS carry out their business in a responsible manner," she said.

She said this when debating the Private Institutions of Higher Learning (Amendment) Bill 2014 at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, Tuesday.

The Bill aims to amend the Private Institutions of Higher Learning Act 1996 (Act 555).

Azalina also urged the government to monitor the entry of foreign students into the country to pursue studies at the IPTS so that they did not abuse the visas issued by the government to them.

She said the monitoring was to avoid their involvement in negative activities such as the spread of the syiah ideology and criminal cases.

In addition, she suggested that proper screening was carried out in the recruitment of foreign lecturers by the IPTS so that those employed were truly qualified and capable in order to provide the best education to the students.

--BERNAMA

Bernama Online

Wednesday 11 June 2014.