Looking ahead: Azman addressing ministry staff at the start of the 2025/2026 academic session. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
MALAYSIA is set to perform better in international assessments with the Education Ministry focusing on more structured and systematic preparation for students.
Its director-general Azman Adnan said these preparatory programmes and activities will be planned and monitored by the ministry’s International Benchmarking Achievement Strategic Planning Committee (JPSPPA), as global assessments like the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), and the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) are important benchmarks in assessing the effectiveness of the country’s education system.
Improving preparation for international assessments, alongside reforming schools, is on the ministry’s key reform agenda to-do list for the year, Azman said when delivering the 2025/2026 new school year address on Feb 21.
He said reforming schools – particularly in terms of administrative efficiency, leadership, teacher work culture and professionalism, as well as student competencies, especially in literacy and numeracy – and fostering the formation of a Madani generation, are important as they will enhance the quality of the country’s education.
Another issue high on the ministry’s priority list is student dropouts, which will be tackled by making secondary schooling compulsory through the tabling of the Education Bill 2025 (Amendment): Continuation of Compulsory Education from Primary Education.
The ministry, he said, will also introduce technology and gamification in learning to increase student motivation to attend school.
Azman said this year, the ministry is striving to strengthen the education system through the implementation of more inclusive, data-based and results-oriented policies.
This would also see schools being categorised based on their needs.
“Schools will be categorised as focus schools, aspirational schools or inspirational schools,” he told ministry staff in Putrajaya.
Focus schools are schools that require a lot of attention and strong support to improve student performance, while aspirational schools are those that perform well but have plateaued and are in need of reform.
Meanwhile, inspirational schools are those that consistently excel academically, have good reputation and leadership, and can be used as a model or example to others.
“We are also focused on ending bullying and sexual harassment in schools,” Azman said.
Calling on everyone to work together to achieve the ministry’s aspirations through strategic actions and comprehensive implementation, he said efficient governance and effective delivery systems are keys to strengthening the national education system.
“The education system needs to go through continuous improvement to ensure competitiveness,” he said, adding that reforms will be done by streamlining workflows based on three main elements: priority, coordination and togetherness.
“Prioritisation, coordination and togetherness are interrelated in shaping a sustainable education system.
“By prioritising key issues, coordinating efforts at all levels, and ensuring togetherness in every action, education can be a catalyst for the development of an inclusive, progressive and united society,” he said.
