Potential Growth Challenges And A Way Forward Why Should We Be Optimistic About Our Education

---

 
Our schools, teachers, and students are making waves. Such success is a glimpse of growth and potential, and that the education reform that we envision is on its way, but critics are adamant that we are in a crisis. - NSTP file picRecently, we celebrated the achievement of SK Seri Permai, Bayan Baru in Penang for being shortlisted in the Top Three of the World's Best School Prizes 2023 in the innovation category. The school also charmed judges with its Smart n Easy Table 2.0 innovation which helped lighten the weight of school bags.
While SK Seri Permai's achievement is remarkable, it comes as no surprise if we take into account that SK Kempadang, Kuantan, Pahang also achieved a similar feat last year.
These successes indicates one thing: The achievements of Malaysian schools on the international front are not a fluke.
We are also proud of the achievement of SK Kanchong Darat, Banting in Selangor which made it to the Top 10 of the same competition this year. The school's jump rope programme helps improve pupil's physical and emotional health, and was also successful in helping the school improve its students' attendance rate and confidence.
SK Setiawangsa's win in the International Science Drama Competition 2023, Sekolah Seri Puteri's SP Winds Orchestra success in the Golden Sardana Competition in Barcelona, Spain, and the recent triumph of the Education Ministry's robotics team in the World Robot Olympiad Friendship Invitational Competition are achievements the nation should be proud of.
Our teachers are making us proud too. Often, we have teachers making headlines for the right reasons, being shortlisted in international prizes and winning awards, a testament of their hard work and dedication towards the profession and teaching practices.
Our schools, teachers, and students are making waves. Such success is a glimpse of growth and potential, and that the education reform that we envision is on its way, but critics are adamant that we are in a crisis.
Hence, to indicate that our education is in a deep state is an overstatement and disrespectful to the hard work of teachers, officers, parents, strategic partners and the community.
As a minister, I tend to strike a balance between being an optimist and a pessimist. I see the potential and growth in our education system, but I'm aware of the present and future challenges as well.
Education challenges are aplenty, but rest assured that measures are being taken at all levels with both short and long term solutions explored. I'm not in a position to take a populist approach or to please armchair critics. What is important is to address the core issues and to work on priorities.
While many may have good life privileges, there are still those who struggle to even put food on the table. During my work visit to Pulau Beluru, Tumpat, Kelantan for instance, I've witnessed how some kids are suffering from malnutrition.
Schooling is also expensive due to challenging geographical distances. In order to tackle such situation, we ramp up the food supplementary programme and initiated the special school model initiative.
This is just one example, but what I'm trying to make clear is that we work on priorities.
Education is a process, hence, I believe instant fixes do not help the cause. Some issues are easier to overcome, while others may take a longer route. After all, we are dealing with over 10,000 schools, more than 400,000 teachers, 5,000,000 students, multiple stakeholders and layers of complexity.
Take example of the criticisms against the school curriculum. Some quarters demand immediate solutions, including calls to scrap the present school curriculum.
It should be understood though, that the school curriculum works in a cyclic process. Chop and change would only create more confusion and disruption.
More importantly, we should not treat our kids like 'lab rats'. Having said so, that does not mean the present school curriculum is flawless. In fact, a perfect education system does not exist. Hence, at the ministry, we continuously work to address shortcomings and challenges.
The development of the new curriculum cycle which is scheduled in 2027 - NST

---