Children should not be forced to conform to a rigid education system because that would stop them from being creative, said Shamsuddin Bardan, the Malaysian Employers Federation executive director. He said in emphasising too much on discipline, pupils could lose the chance to be creative and innovative.

"If you enrol your child in preschool, the system requires the child to conform. They have to wear the same uniform and the hair should be kept in a certain place.

"By focusing on discipline too much, you are killing creativity."

Shamsuddin said a fun learning environment would encourage schoolchildren and tertiary students to put on their thinking cap and thus become more employable in the future.

He said the government had spent too much money retraining unemployed graduates, adding that revamping the education system would ensure better quality workers.

Shamsuddin said a good education system should encourage students to be innovative and creative.

"I asked several universities on the need for theory and concepts to be taught, and they say it is a ministry requirement. The market has no use for this.

"This is a very orthodox way of doing things but it will not allow people to be creative and innovative. Sadly, there are the requirements (to be innovative and creative) the economy needs."