Speaking to reporters while on a visit here, Mahdzir agreed with Adenan’s suggestion that the English Language be given greater priority in the education system, while Bahasa Kebangsaan would remain the main medium.

“We believe Adenan is prompted to make the suggestion because of his deep understanding of the situation where Sarawak has many different ethnic groups besides the importance of English as a widely spoken world language in a lot of fields,” he said.

Mahdzir said some efforts had been made for more local teachers to be placed in local schools.

“We have recently interviewed and engaged 181 new teachers. We are still trying to recruit more from the open market for those with the necessary qualifications and from current intake in the teacher training institutes,” he said, Bernama reported.

Adenan had said earlier this month that he was keen to meet Mahdzir, who was appointed education minister in a Cabinet reshuffle last July.

The chief minister has previously announced that English would be an official language in Sarawak for use in the state administration alongside Bahasa Malaysia. He also announced state recognition of the United Common Examination school-leaving certificate of Chinese-medium schools and an entry qualification in the state civil service.

The UCE certificate is not recognised by the Federal Government and is not valid for entry to public universities, which come under federal purview.

Mahdzir was here to open an education convention attended by 2,500 headmasters, principals and education officers from all over Sarawak.