Alam Dan Manusia Another Confusing Experiment At The Expense Of Malaysian Students

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AN MCA leader has criticised the Education Ministry’s (MOE) decision to introduce a new subject, “Alam dan Manusia: Pembelajaran Bersepadu” (Nature and Humanity: Integrated Learning) for Year One students beginning in the 2027 school curriculum.
Calling the proposal “another rushed experiment with little clarity and coherence”, the party’s deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon expressed concern that the new subject will dilute essential knowledge and leave students confused.
“The subject is presented as a step towards “integrated learning” but in reality, it appears to be yet another rushed experiment with little clarity and coherence with no consultation (from stakeholders),” he commented.
MOE announced on Thursday (Nov 6) that the new subject will be introduced for Year 1 to 3 pupils under the 2027 school curriculum, replacing Science, Health Education, Visual Arts Education and Music in the current curriculum.
It said “Alam dan Manusia” combines multiple disciplines—science, health education, music, visual arts, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and digital literacy—and will be taught using a team-teaching approach.
According to Dr Mah, early childhood education should focus on building strong foundations in Science, Health and creative expression rather than merging them into one single and vague subject.
“Netizens are asking, quite rightly: how can a six-year-old grasp both human biology and musical rhythm in the same lesson? Instead of integration, the result risks being superficial learning with no real mastery in any area,” he said.
The latest proposal comes hot on the heels of the MOE’s proposal to implement co-teaching where two teachers conduct lessons together, which Dr Mah had similarly criticised.
“While collaboration sounds ideal in theory, in practice it could cause chaos in classrooms already struggling with teacher shortages and limited resources,” he said.
“Malaysia’s education system already faces a shortage of well-trained teachers. This adds another layer of complexity without addressing this issue is irresponsible.”
Critics had also pointed out that “Alam dan Manusia” is not a new concept at all—rather, the subject had existed over 30 years ago when it was taught to upper primary students.
“Rebranding it for Year One students, while adding even more elements such as TVET and digital literacy, shows a worrying lack of institutional memory and educational insight. Many are calling this nothing more than a policy recycling exercise disguised as innovation,” Dr Mah continued.
“Moreover, the removal of Science and Health Education as standalone subjects sends the wrong message at a time when health awareness, nutrition, and environmental science are more critical than ever.
“Meanwhile, other countries like China are progressing rapidly by making AI education mandatory for all primary and secondary students from September 2025. Malaysia, on the other hand, appears to be taking a step backward, focusing on cosmetic curriculum changes rather than preparing children for a digital future.”
Dr Mah said if MOE truly intends to build well-rounded, future-ready students, it must first strengthen the basics, not dismantle them.
“Education reform cannot be reduced to slogans and subject mergers. What Malaysia needs is a clear, evidence-based strategy, not another grand experiment that risks turning classrooms into laboratories of confusion,” he added. ‒  Focus Malaysia

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