New 2027 school curriculum would include character education, says Education Minister

PUTRAJAYA: The new 2027 school curriculum aims to produce students who practice a balanced lifestyle in all aspects, can cultivate lifelong learning, value racial unity and harmony and can develop healthy social relationships.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said it would also be inclusive and ensure no one was left behind.

"The concept of human dignity, which emphasises the formation of manners, morals and integrity, is a pillar in developing the new curriculum," she said.

She said the new curriculum would combine the currently used standards-based curriculum and a competency-oriented curriculum used in Singapore, Finland and Canada.

She said there would be set targets that must be achieved by students in certain knowledge, skills and values at a certain level, and at the same time, promote active student learning, providing a more authentic and meaningful learning and assessment experience.

“The 2027 school curriculum will combine these two approaches in development to produce knowledgeable and competent students and achieve an optimal balance in providing quality education,” she said when delivering her speech on the 2027 school curriculum on Wednesday (Dec 6).

The new curriculum results from engagement with stakeholders and a nationwide survey that was carried out with over 61,000 respondents.

“The reorganisation of curriculum content and research on student character development are among the suggested improvements (in the feedback gathered),” said Fadhlina.

She said the desired curriculum must be flexible, relevant and contextual to achieve the aspirations of a lifelong learning culture.

“Pupils need to be equipped with appropriate competencies to form a generation that has a growth mindset or a growth mentality, competitive and resilient,” she said.

“A paradigm shift in the curriculum needs to be done immediately to be in line with current and future world changes,” she added.

Among the changes that can be expected is a designated time slot in the timetable for preschool up to form five for character education.

“This character education will be implemented as a specific time slot and focuses on practical socio-emotional learning from preschool to upper secondary school level.

“In fact, to give meaning to life as a responsible citizen, character education will also be applied in the context of building the character of the Malaysian nation,” she added.