KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 329,414 teachers nationwide have received artificial intelligence (AI) training as the Education Ministry prepares to integrate the technology into schools.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the training was carried out continuously to ensure all teachers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to use AI safely and ethically.
"As we prepare to ensure that none of our children is marginalised or left struggling, we must certainly give priority to preparing our teachers," she said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 29).
"Teachers must not be left to face these changes without preparation. That is why we have ensured that training has been provided.
"However, I would like to remind everyone that AI can never take over the fundamental role of teachers.
"The ministry's AI Literacy Guidelines have been in force since May 8 and emphasise the critical, safe and ethical use of AI.
"They also stress that everyone, including parents, administrators, teachers, children and the community, has a responsibility to ensure that AI is used safely."
Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) wanted to know the ministry's plans to integrate AI literacy into the school curriculum, including teacher training, digital facilities and student talent development to ensure pupils are prepared for technological challenges and future job requirements.
The ministry plans to integrate AI literacy and basics into the school curriculum from next year.
Fadhlina said 1.5 million students had also been exposed to AI in schools through initiatives such as STEM, programming, robotics and digital innovation.
She said the aim was not only to teach children to use technology developed by others, but also to encourage them to innovate and develop their own ideas.
"We cannot allow our children to be left behind in the world of AI, nor do we want technological progress to make them increasingly dependent on the Internet and less inclined to think for themselves.
"Technology will continue to change, but the responsibilities of education remain unchanged.
"We must ensure that our children know how to think, uphold human values and care for others," she said.
On interventions for pupils who have yet to master the 3M skills (reading, writing and arithmetic), Fadhlina said the ministry was focusing on early intervention, with teachers providing support in the classroom, followed by learning matrices and programmes.
