Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants a special committee to be formed to study the cause, as well as find solutions, to the declining interest to study science and mathematics in school.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the directive was issued by Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, at the ministry’s post-cabinet meeting yesterday.

“The committee is asked to carry out a comprehensive study, including to find ways to achieve the target of having 60 per cent of students in the science stream and 40 cent in the arts stream,” he told reporters after opening the “Rapat 1Malaysia” programme, themed “Education Transformation” here Thursday.

He said Education Director-General Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud had been tasked with the setting up of the committee.

Last month, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the declining interest among students to study science could stunt the government’s efforts to improve technological innovations to make Malaysia a high income country.

Earlier in his speech, Mohd Puad said the Education Director-General was also asked to prepare a report on developing creative and critical thinking among students, as well as proficient in English.

— BERNAMA