THE 2027 School Curriculum seeks to equip the younger generation with competence, character, resilience and foresight to navigate a post-normal era while reflecting upon the essence of the Malaysian nation.
Speaking at the 2027 School Curriculum Professional Discussion programme on Dec 6, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek acknowledged the pivotal role of education in preparing the future generation to face the impacts of global challenges like climate change, electric vehicles, international conflicts leading to humanitarian crises, pandemics and the surge of artificial intelligence (AI).
"Therefore, a paradigm shift in the curriculum will require immediate action to align with the current and future changes in the world.
"We must address these challenges with balanced and equitable solutions to ensure students' well-being under any circumstances.
"These solutions should not solely rely on technology, but should also be accepted and adapted by all, regardless of ethnicity, socio-economic status or region."
Fadhlina said the development of the 2027 School Curriculum would refer to key national policies such as the National Education Policy, National Child Policy, National Unity Policy, Malaysia Digital Economic Action Framework and Digital Education Policy.
"For example, the Child Policy aims to nurture healthy, active, knowledgeable, innovative, creative, identity-conscious, competitive, progressive and value-based individuals.
"The National Unity Policy outlines continuous efforts to foster, strengthen and maintain unity among the people. The concept of unity in diversity is used to preserve harmony in our diverse society.
"The latest Digital Education Policy aims to provide a digitally proficient generation, enhance competence and professionalism, and bridge the digital gap. It will lead to an integration of digital technology in education."
Fadhlina said the new curriculum would re-emphasise the fundamental skills of reading, writing and arithmetic or 3Rs to alleviate any deficiency in education.
She said this needed to be done following the decrease in Malaysia's scores in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
"Various initiatives such as the Literacy and Numeracy Programme, Guidance Modules, and STEM Executive Consultation Programme are being carried out to address these learning gaps."
In the 2022 PISA assessment, on Dec 5, Malaysia saw a decrease in all three domains of Science, Mathematics and Reading literacies.
Acting Education director-general Azman Adnan had announced the results given by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), where Malaysia scored 409 in Mathematics, which was lower than the 440 score the country achieved in the same domain in the 2018 PISA.
Malaysia scored 416 in Science, a drop from the 438 it scored in 2018; and 338 in Reading, which was a drop from the 415 score it achieved in 2018.
It showed that Malaysian students scored lower marks than the average OECD scored in all three domains.
Issues in teaching and learning during the Covid-19 pandemic were identified as the main reasons for Malaysia's declining scores in the 2022 PISA.
Fadhlina said the ministry would introduce seven domains in the 2027 School Curriculum.
They are aimed at producing people who will be able to practice a balanced life, encompassing personal development, communication, responsibility, digital fluency, diverse literacy, thinking skills and lifelong learning.
"These domains take into account all elements across the curriculum and the six pillars within the framework of the Standard Secondary School Curriculum and Standard Primary School Curriculum.
"The focus of learning and character formation in various disciplines will be adapted to each level starting from preschool to the upper secondary."
She said under the new curriculum, the focus of learning would be reviewed at many levels of education.
"Primary education will be divided into three levels with new approaches to strengthen the main focuses of learning.
"Primary Education Level I involves Year 1 and 2 pupils whose main focus of learning will be mastering literacy and numeracy as well as character development.
"Pupils will go through entertaining learning experiences so they become interested in following formal learning and motivated to come to school with various early intervention initiatives."
The Primary Education Level II involves Year 3 and 4 pupils and focuses on the application of knowledge for problem-solving and as well as character development.
"Learning at this level will involve things that are more challenging, which require higher cognitive stimulation. Students at this level have an opportunity to learn and explore elements in technical, vocational education and training such as life skills, technology and digital earlier.
"Primary Education Level III involves Year 5 and 6 pupils and focuses on the mastery of analytic skills and producing innovative ideas.
"The learning process will be on improving cognitive ability and character development. This level will prepare pupils for secondary school."
Fadhlina said at the Secondary Education level, Form 1 to 3 students would explore various fields of knowledge and be encouraged to recognise their interests and potential, including talent development.
"Upper Secondary Education for Form 4 and 5 students will create a path in the field they want to pursue at the higher education level.
"The focus of learning and character building in various disciplines will be deeper and broader, and students will be introduced to work experience through apprenticeships."
Fadhlina said a preschool curriculum was being developed to produce pupils who could communicate and socialise confidently.
"Through the method of play and exploration, pupils will gain a meaningful and enjoyable learning experience.
"Students will also continue to be given space for learning Bahasa Malaysia and English."
The 2027 School Curriculum will strengthen the implementation of classroom-based assessment.
"The teacher will evaluate a student's learning process holistically to help them improve their abilities and potential.
The focus is no longer on task results alone.
"This way, the teaching and learning process will become more flexible, fun and meaningful for teachers and students."
Fadhlina said the 2027 School Curriculum would be implemented in stages, starting with Year 1 and Form 1 in 2027.
"For preschoolers, the new national curriculum will be introduced in 2026.
"However, elements in this new curriculum will be thoroughly discussed, debated, detailed and reviewed through the Future Education Tour Programme and targeted engagement sessions," she added.