KUCHING: Proficiency in English is no longer an advantage, but instead an essential requirement to produce a workforce capable of competing at the global level.

Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said that in addition to having technical skills, graduates also need to master the English language so that they can communicate confidently and compete internationally.

"As educators, including myself, we are responsible for equipping students not only with academic knowledge, but also language skills and the confidence to succeed in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world," he said.

He said this when officiating the Sarawak English Language Education Symposium (SELES) 2026 here, on Wednesday.

According to Dato Sri Roland, the weakness in English proficiency remains among the main factors affecting the marketability of graduates, especially in multinational companies.

He said that the results of a survey conducted a few years ago found that many graduates were unable to secure employment due to a low level of English proficiency rather than a lack of academic qualifications.

He explained that there are also some graduates in the field who still face difficulties in speaking English fluently, thus reflecting the need to strengthen the quality of English teaching and learning.

In this regard, he said, the Sarawak Government continues to emphasise efforts to strengthen English proficiency through the implementation of the Sarawak Dual Language Programme (DLP Sarawak) and the Sarawak Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UPDLPS) as one of the strategic initiatives to improve language competence among students.

Also present was Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Grace John Lee
Photo: Shairazi
Translator: Nerissa Sia