KPM to Begin School Reform Programme Next Week

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Education (KPM) will begin a school reform programme starting next week by selecting 10 schools in each district as pilot projects to elevate the quality of education and student development.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said each district will select five primary schools and five secondary schools to be developed as the best schools in their respective districts.

According to her, each selected school will have the opportunity to receive an allocation of up to RM100,000 to implement various reform initiatives according to their respective needs and plans.

“Starting next week, another important programme related to school reform will begin.

“Each district will elevate 10 schools, namely five primary schools and five secondary schools, which should become the best schools in their respective districts.

“I have gone through several sessions with these schools and it appears that each is quite enthusiastic because our offer is up to RM100,000 for each school to make various changes and reforms,” she said in a speech at the monthly assembly with KPM staff here yesterday.

Fadhlina said the initiative is not only aimed at improving academic achievement, but also strengthening teacher professionalism and creating a more quality school ecosystem.

However, she stressed that school reform cannot be implemented through shortcuts or merely focused on physical improvements.

“But this reform does not happen overnight. I also cautioned the schools that when we want to implement reform, we cannot take shortcuts.

“For example, installing air conditioning in all schools or providing smart boards in every classroom, that is not reform.

“The reform we desire is a change in culture, a change in ecosystem and a change in mindset that must be cultivated by the entire school community to elevate the school’s standing to become the best,” she said.

She said the reform also encompasses changes in work methods, teaching approaches, mental health care, efforts to address bullying issues and ensuring the well-being of the entire school community continues to be strengthened.

Meanwhile, the majority of infrastructure preparation projects to welcome six-year-old Year One pupils for the 2027 school session have been completed ahead of schedule.

Fadhlina said this development proves KPM’s readiness in ensuring school facilities are at their best before pupils begin the next school session.

“Congratulations because in our preparations, particularly infrastructure preparations to receive six-year-old children in Year One next year, some projects have already been completed ‘ahead of time’. Meaning much earlier,” she said.

Utusan Malaysia