JOHOR BARU: A total of 212 primary and secondary school teachers in Johor have been sent to the National Institute of Education in Singapore for training and workshops in preparation for the pilot Bangsa Johor school opening on Feb 17.
“The teachers were dispatched in phases, beginning in November and December last year. The next group will be sent on Feb 10,” said Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin.
“We want all 212 teachers to obtain certification for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.”
He said all students from the school would also be required to complete at least 112 hours in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects each year, compared to a minimum of 64 hours in other schools.
As such, the teachers have a crucial role in the pilot Bangsa Johor school which places extra focus on STEM subjects, he said.
“Besides STEM subjects, students and teachers will also be required to strengthen their English language skills,” he told reporters after launching an aid programme for pupils here yesterday.
Schools will reopen in all states on Feb 17 and a day earlier in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Aznan said two primary and two secondary schools had been selected for the pilot programme.
They are Pasir Gudang schools, namely SMK Kota Puteri 2 with 2,352 students and SK Kota Puteri 4 (532 students), and another two schools in Johor Baru – SMK Tasek Utara, (611 students) and SK Tasek Utara (802 students).
“The next phase involves engagement sessions with the parents of these students. We want to ensure they are on board with our mission and understand the importance of this learning approach.
He said the pilot Bangsa Johor school syllabus would not go against the national education policy outlined by the Education Ministry.
Aznan also stated that the school must operate for at least three years before meaningful results can be evaluated.
“Only then can we compare whether this pilot project has an impact or brought about changes compared to other mainstream schools.”
He also said that the state government is planning to help students who failed the SPM exam by offering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes under the Johor Talent Development Council.
“Our main challenge right now is to ensure that students take their SPM exam.
“So, we need to sit down with parents and students to explain that the SPM qualification is still important for future educational opportunities,” he added.
On the aid programme for students in Johor, Aznan said the state government had allocated RM2.8mil which has been distributed across all 56 constituencies in Johor.
“Our goal is to support at least 200 students from B40 families in each constituency,” he said.
