Wave of change to hit Malaysian schools in 2017

Students in Malaysia wait with bated breath as the Education Ministry is set to  implement a new curriculum in secondary schools and revise the current one in primary schools.

Next year will finally see the implementation of the new Standard Curriculum for Secondary Schools (KSSM) for Form One students and a revised Primary School Standard Curriculum (KSSR) for Year One pupils. The first cohort of KSSR began in 2011 starting with Year One.

“The first cycle of the KSSR, which was implemented in 2011, has ended and we will now do a review of it in 2017, concurrent with the implementation of the KSSM. These changes will be done in stages and new textbooks will be provided to students. In line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, several changes must be made to our national curriculum in order to produce students who are resilient, curious, innovative and able to communicate well,” said Naza Idris Saadon, the Education Ministry’s head for the policy and research sector.

Naza Idris outlined several changes that are likely to be made in reviewing the KSSR, and added that any changes would be done in stages with textbooks provided in line with the blueprint. Naza went on to stress that keeping abreast with the changing times was the reason behind these changes, emphasising that the content taught today has to change accordingly, by including new information and content into the subject especially for those that revolve around technology.

“Other changes include the organisation and management of the curriculum, changes in the pedagogy aspect of teaching and learning and in the allocation of time for each subject,” he said.

Naza Idris also explained how teachers will now be required to complete a subject in minimum hours per year as opposed to completing a certain amount of minutes in a week for each subject in the past, in an effort to put emphasis on the importance of taking an in-depth and contextual approach to learning.

“We place too much focus and emphasis on examinations. Students will work hard for these exams and come out with flying colours but the question is, are these straight A students of quality?” Naza Idris said, adding what the ministry wants to see is students who are brilliant not just academically but holistically. “These changes in our educational system is necessary and is towards the betterment of our students and country.”