He said human capital excellence through education was also a solution to the government’s efforts to ensure every family enjoyed a better future.
“From the perspective of an individual, if a person is frequently complaining, probably one of the factors is the low level of education that does not allow him to generate a higher income.
“If his level of education is low, but he has a skill, he will earn a high income and if he becomes more skilled at what he does, he will earn even more,” the prime minister said.
Najib said this when opening a seminar for Parents and Community Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) 2016 Excellence Awards Ceremony and Contribution to the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) 2017 at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Convention Hall here today.
As such, Najib urged the people to always seize the opportunity to better themselves and set high goals. He cautioned them against feeling easily satisfied or feeling that the “struggle is over” in their pursuit of success.
Najib said education was not purely academic in nature, as technical and vocational education could also help increase an individual’s earnings, if pursued in earnest.
He also requested that all segments of society play an active role and involve themselves in the educational empowerment agenda, and referred to a study conducted in the United States.
“When we want to educate the people, not only should principals and teachers be involved, but parents and the community at large, as well as other stakeholders who can define excellence in the field of knowledge,” he said.
Najib also said he personally preferred the term “education” as opposed to “lessons” because education was a more comprehensive and holistic term.
At the event, Najib also presented Outstanding Student Prizes (HPC) from the Pahang Foundation totalling RM54,950 to 203 top achievers in SPM, STPM and STAM 2016 in the Pekan parliamentary constituency.