GEORGE TOWN: The government wants to retrain over 100,000 teachers in digital pedagogy and other modern teaching tools, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said it would be part of its focus on professional development for teachers under Asean Work Plan on Education, in partnership with Google for Education, Unesco and local universities.
"The education sector must shift from passive knowledge transmission to active skills cultivation, creativity, critical thinking and lifelong learning.
She said Malaysia faces a choice between marginal adaptation and bold transformation.
“Malaysia chooses the latter. We will focus on the professional development of teachers," she said at the Empowering Education Summit 2025 held at Jen Penang George Town by Shangri-la on Monday (April 21).
She cautioned that the country must bridge the widening gap between what schools teach and the demands of the future.
"A 2023 report by the Asian Development Bank found that nearly 60% of jobs in Asean will be impacted by automation within the next decade. Malaysia has taken early steps to prepare for this transformation," she said.
Fadhlina said there has been a focus on curriculum reform and digital competency as well.
"Malaysia has introduced the Standard Curriculum for Secondary Schools with a renewed focus on digital skills, problem-solving and values-based education.
"We have implemented the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Empowerment Agenda.
"Under this, the public and private sectors co-develop modular, industry-relevant training for stronger TVET-industry collaboration," she said.
She said another factor that cannot be ignored is the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and biotech.
"It is transforming Asean’s labour markets.
"Malaysia has taken relevant steps with our National AI Roadmap outlining how AI will be introduced into education, not just as content, but as a learning enabler.
"In selected pilot schools, we are using AI-powered learning platforms to personalise student learning, identify early risks of dropout and offer customised remediation.
"We are expanding STEM initiatives which target rural and underprivileged students.
"Over 200,000 students participated in STEM boot camps and robotics competitions in 2024 alone," she said.
