Education Minister: Weak English proficiency hurting graduates’ employability

Sagah (centre) and distinguished guests in a photo with attendees of the SELES 2026 at Imperial Hotel on July 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 8: Weak English proficiency remains one of the key factors affecting graduates’ employability, particularly when competing for positions in multinational companies.

Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said many graduates fail to secure employment not because they lack academic qualifications, but because of their limited proficiency in English.

Citing findings from a survey conducted several years ago, he noted that language barriers continue to hinder graduates’ ability to communicate confidently and compete effectively in the job market.

“As educators, including myself, we are responsible for equipping students not only with academic knowledge, but also with the language skills and confidence needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world,” he said as reported by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

He highlighted this when officiating the Sarawak English Language Education Symposium (SELES) 2026 at the Imperial Hotel here today.

Sagah stressed that while technical competencies remain important, graduates must also possess strong English communication skills to meet the demands of the global workforce.

He noted that even graduates from language-related and relevant disciplines continue to face challenges communicating effectively in English, underscoring the need to further enhance the quality of English teaching and learning.

To address the issue, he said the Sarawak government will continue strengthening English proficiency among students through initiatives such as the Sarawak Dual Language Programme (DLP Sarawak) and the Sarawak Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UPDLPS).

“These initiatives are designed to improve students’ language competency and better prepare them for future challenges,” he said.

Also present was Deputy Minister for Education and Innovation Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. — DayakDaily