KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai today called for a review of Malaysia's education system following criticisms that it doesn't produce high-value human capital.

Lau said the recent remarks by National Professors Council Education and Human Capital Cluster secretary Anuar Ahmad about the poor state of Malaysia's education, showed it was time for an overhaul.

He said that unless action is taken soon, more Malaysian youths will struggle to find work and stay competitive as they lack the skills to stay competitive because they are learning subjects that are irrelevant and outdated in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

"The education system needs to reduce its reliance on rote learning and instead introduce a syllabus that aligns with future requirements,” Lau said in a statement.

"Efforts should be made to promote digital literacy as a tool for communication and problem-solving. Students should be proficient in evaluating online information and utilising digital tools for effective communication and innovation, including coding and developing innovative applications.

"Rather than focusing on rote learning, schools should emphasise group projects to foster teamwork, presentation skills and critical thinking as students field questions from their peers. In addition efforts should be made to promote mental health topics to help students manage stress, build resilience and maintain overall well-being,” he added.

Anuar had said that Malaysia needed a more dynamic and decentralised education system.

He said a centralised system created slow response times and progress.

He also said students were losing interest in pure science subjects in Form 4 and Form 5 as they were too difficult.

On June 15, the Education Ministry confirmed that nearly 30,000 candidates for SPM did not sit for their exams last year.