JOHOR BARU: More than 200 Johor teachers from both primary and secondary schools, were sent to Singapore's National Institute of Education for training ahead of the launch of the pilot Bangsa Johor schools on Feb 17.
The Bangsa Johor school project aims to produce graduates proficient in English while strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The brainchild of His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, the Regent of Johor, the project also aims to foster a strong Bangsa Johor identity, a unifying concept that promotes a sense of state pride, loyalty, and harmony among Johoreans, regardless of race, religion, or beliefs.
The Bangsa Johor identity is linked to efforts such as education reforms, economic initiatives, and strong state-led governance, distinguishing Johor's policies and ambitions from federal approaches.
Tunku Ismail, who is also the Crown Prince of Johor, had earlier urged the federal government to reform the education system to keep the younger generation competitive.
He called for proactive syllabus updates and the removal of outdated subjects.
"A review of the school syllabus is needed to improve the quality of the nation's education system.
"Quality education will open doors to more opportunities for future generations. If this cannot be done nationally, let Johor lead the way," he said in his royal address when opening the third session of the 15th state legislative assembly on May 9 last year.
"My priority has been advancing education, the economy, state infrastructure, and job opportunities," Tunku Ismail posted on his Facebook yesterday.
Meanwhile, Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the teachers' training, conducted in phases since November last year, was designed to certify teachers under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
CEFR is an international standard for assessing language proficiency, developed by the Council of Europe, which provides a consistent framework to measure language skills across different languages and education systems.
The next group of teachers is expected to undergo training in Singapore on Feb 10.
Four schools were selected for the Bangsa Johor pilot project: SMK Kota Puteri 2 and SK Kota Puteri 4 in Pasir Gudang, and SMK Tasek Utara and SK Tasek Utara in Johor Baru.
The schools were selected based on strong academic performance, administrative efficiency, and adaptability to enhanced curricula.
"The students from these schools will complete a minimum of 112 hours annually in STEM subjects, nearly double the 64-hour requirement in mainstream schools," Aznan said.
The Bangsa Johor school syllabus aligns with the national education policy but incorporates additional elements to elevate learning outcomes.
"We have presented this initiative to the Education Ministry, and they are supportive. If successful, it may influence future national syllabus adjustments," he said.
Aznan said parental engagement will be a key component to ensure families understand and support the school's mission.
The project is expected to run for at least three years before its effectiveness is fully assessed.
Meanwhile, the Johor state government allocated RM2.8 million under the Bantuan Kasih Murid Johor programme to aid students from low-income (B40) families, benefiting at least 200 students in each of the state's 56 constituencies.
Aznan also announced a new initiative under the Johor Talent Development Council to assist students who fail their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams by enrolling them in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
"The Bangsa Johor school project aims to produce graduates proficient in English and STEM fields while fostering a strong Johorean identity. Should the initiative succeed, it could serve as a model for future reforms in Malaysia's education system," Aznan said after officiating the Bantuan Kasih Murid Johor programme yesterday (Feb 1).
