KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry aims to do away with the culture of “elite classes” in the country’s schools within the next three years, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
He said the ministry would be using a “soft landing” approach to carry out its plans.
“Schools that have an elite class system can continue to do so with their pupils in Years Four to Six who will be beginning the new school year in January,” he said after opening the 18th Taiwan Schools in Malaysia board of directors, principals and parents joint meeting yesterday.
Chong said the Federal Territory Education Department announced recently that it will be abolishing all elite classes within its district from next year.
He urged schools and parents to focus on providing and developing holistic education for the children rather than being overly exam-oriented.
He also pointed out that the elite class system was not a policy or rule the ministry practised.
“It is usually implemented by individual schools. Mostly urban schools would have elite classes, while it is more uncommon for rural schools to have them,” he said, adding that not all states have elite classes either.
On a separate matter, Chong said the ministry had helped schools prepare for the new school year by providing them with necessities including enough teachers, headmasters and furniture.
He said the ministry was ready to cope with any shortage of teachers that may arise in future.
“We will immediately begin the Kursus Dalam Cuti (training during the holidays) for teachers in training if schools need more teachers,” he said.
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