Bilingual Skills Key For Sarawak Youth Excellence

Bilingual Skills Key For Sarawak Youth Excellence

KUCHING – Proficiency in both Bahasa Malaysia and English has been identified as a fundamental driver for preparing younger generations for future success. This dual-language approach aims to cultivate students who are not only well-informed but also self-assured and equipped to handle contemporary global challenges.

The Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, emphasised that command of these two languages serves multiple crucial purposes. He stated that it reinforces national identity while simultaneously creating pathways for academic advancement, professional opportunities, and international dialogue.

He articulated this position during the concluding session of the Sarawak Premier Debate Challenge 2025, an event that brought together secondary school students from across the state. The minister reaffirmed the state’s longstanding policy of stressing the significance of both linguistic systems.

In his address, he delineated the distinct roles each language plays. He described Bahasa Malaysia as the national language that symbolises identity, fosters unity, and preserves cultural heritage. Conversely, he positioned English as an indispensable instrument for engaging with the wider world, describing it as crucial for global-level interaction.

The debating competition itself, featuring categories in both languages, was highlighted as more than merely an intellectual contest. The minister framed it as an embodiment of Sarawak’s spirit, one that cherishes linguistic diversity and maintains an open-minded approach to acquiring knowledge from all sources.

He described the event as a strategic platform with a formative role in moulding the youth. It is designed to help shape them into articulate individuals with high self-confidence, capable of effective communication within a multilingual global environment. This, he suggested, is a critical skill for the 21st century.

A key point of his speech was the importance of achieving a balanced competency in both languages. He argued that this equilibrium is vital for developing students who can think critically and communicate with assurance on the international stage. Crucially, this is to be achieved without displacing or diminishing their local cultural roots and heritage.

The educational philosophy underpinning this initiative views bilingualism as a comprehensive tool. It is seen as a means to unlock potential without forcing a choice between local identity and global citizenship. The policy seeks to integrate these aspects, allowing young Sarawakians to navigate different cultural contexts with ease.

The ceremony culminated with the presentation of awards to the victorious teams of the debate challenge. The competition is viewed as a practical application of the state’s educational priorities, providing a tangible forum for students to demonstrate the very linguistic and critical thinking skills championed by the ministry.

This emphasis on bilingual proficiency is part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to enhance its human capital. By investing in language skills, the state aims to ensure its youth can compete effectively in various international arenas, from academic pursuits to business ventures, while retaining a strong connection to their unique cultural identity.

By Sarawak Daily

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