Moulding students into global citizens

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian students are being moulded into global citizens to increase their competitiveness with the introduction of a new module in schools.

Global Citizenship Education (GCED), said United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) Malaysia education specialist Azlina Kamal (pic), would be taught in all schools at the primary and secondary level next January.

The module, which is embedded in the existing curriculum, was recently rolled out in secondary schools nationwide.

“We started with the lower secondary students first but the module will be extended to primary schools soon, ” said Azlina.

She said the module, incorporated into Mathematics, Science, History and Geography lessons, would train students to find solutions to pressing global issues.

“The aim is to equip students with knowledge of global events so that they are able to form well-rounded opinions, ” she said, adding that students will also develop empathetic skills and respect for other cultures and perspectives.

Those involved in developing the module were teachers themselves, subject matter experts and ministry officials from various divisions, under the leadership of former Education director-general Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim who retired on April 5 – the day the module was launched.

Habibah, who is also an adjunct professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said GCED was in line with helping Malaysia become a global player.

“We are no longer living in our own communities; we are all affected by what is happening beyond our communities.

“This comes naturally due to the advancement of digital technology and if we cannot relate and react to what’s happening around us on a larger scale, or if our attitudes and values are not in tune with the world at large, we cannot become a global player, ” she said.

Describing the module as progressive, Parent Action Group for Education president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim lauded the inclusion of topics such as gender equality.