Big leap in education

OVERHAUL: nine areas to be strengthened under master plan

THE highly anticipated National Education Development Master Plan, to be unveiled on Tuesday, will see “drastic changes” introduced in nine areas, revealed Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, told the New Sunday Times that the nine areas are:

UPHOLDING the teaching profession;
ENHANCING leadership in schools;
ENHANCING the quality of schools;
STRENGTHENING the curriculum and assessment standards;
ENHANCING proficiency in languages;
GETTING the involvement of parents, and the private and social sectors as partners;
MAKING students better prepared forhigher education and the job market;
IMPROVING the competency and effectiveness of existing resources; and,
TO build up the potential and ability of the delivery system.

“Besides the nine areas, there will be a major shift in 11 areas that I will announce at the launch. Yes, compared with the existing system, it is a big leap.”

Elaborating on the details, Muhyiddin said the changes would include:

THE introduction of more stringent entry requirements to ensure only top performing students and those with keen interest in teaching join the profession.

“For instance, if we previously took those with 4As, 5As or 6As, now it will be 8As or 9As. We will take only the best of the best into the system. They must also have an interest in the job. It cannot be a second career option for them or they apply only when other job applications are rejected,” said Muhyiddin;

THE setting up of an Education Delivery Unit. Officers in this unit will conduct assessments, present annual progress reports and action plans to be taken;

DISTRICT education offices playing a greater role in the implementation of policies at the school level. Their present function is supervisory;

EMPHASIS on dual language proficiency, mainly Bahasa Malaysia and English, as well as a third language. Also included in the plan are ways to improve English language proficiency, such as the introduction of English literature; and,

STUDENTS will go through only two public examinations — Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) will be abolished. There will be 11 years of compulsory
education for all, including five years in secondary school.