Innovations in Science Education in Malaysia

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Innovations in Science Education in Malaysia

• By
• Dr. Soon Ting Kueh FASc
• Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia

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• Malaysia the Current Priorities
• Human Capital Development
• Science, Technology and Innovation
• Knowledge Society
• High income nation
• Environment and Biodiversity

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• Malaysian Government places strong emphasis on
  science education to achieve the above priorities
• In 2004, Education Ministry split into
• Ministry of Education (MOE)
• Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)

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About Malaysia

• Malaysian Fact Sheet
• Independence (1957) 2008
• Population 7.4 million 26.1 million
• Life Expectancy (Years) M 56 F 58 M 71 F 76
• Infant Mortality Rate 76 per 1,000 5.5 per
  1,000
• Gross Domestic Product USD 1.43 billion USD
  3114 billion
• Per Capita GNP lt USD 229 USD 10,531
• Literacy Rate 50 97
• School Enrolment Rate M 50 F 32 M F 97.4
• Poverty Rate 51.2 5.1

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• Pre-university education under MOE 13 years
• Primary Education 6 years
• (not including pre-school)
• Secondary Education 5 years
• (3-year lower secondary 2-year upper secondary)
• Pre-university 2 years

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• Science education begins (formally) at Secondary
  level Forms I V
• At primary level, there are various topics in
  science that are taught as parts of the primary
  curriculum
• Streaming occurs at the Upper Secondary Level
  Forms IV V into Arts and Science streams

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• Recent emphasis on Science, Technology and
  Innovation (STI) as a key vehicle for sustainable
  economic development and uplifting the quality of
  life has led to new innovations in science
  education in Malaysia
• Knowledge Contents
• Learning Theories and Concepts
• Teaching Methodology and Techniques
• Planning and Research

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• Innovations in science education in Malaysia
• Knowledge Contents
• Pusat Pembangunan Kurikulum (Curriculum
  Development Centre, CDC)
• Curriculum reviews
• Conducting courses for in-service teachers
• Curriculum Development including course
  materials, etc.

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• Pusat Pembangunan Kurikulum (Curriculum
  Development Centre, CDC)
• Curriculum reviews to include latest development
  in STI (Biotechnology, Advanced Materials,
  Nanotechnology, climate change, etc)
• Developing new course materials based on these
  new knowledge and
• Conducting courses on these new topics for
  in-service teachers

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• Learning Theories and Concepts
• Psychology of Education
• New learning theories new thinking skills and
  effective communication
• Incorporated into teachers training (pre-service)
  and in-service training program at Universiti
  Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), teachers training
  colleges (26) and other universities

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• Teaching Methodology and Techniques
• New teaching methodology (pedagogy) and
  techniques are being used to enhance the
  effectiveness of the teaching process
• Use of ICT, Internet, www and other communication
  tools
• Best Practices in Science Education including
  inquiry-based education, new thinking and
  analytical skills, and inter-personal behavioural
  skills

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• Planning and Research
• Planning and Research for secondary science
  education is being carried out at the Educational
  Research and Planning Division (EPRD) of MOE.
• EPRD also oversees the development of education
  policy and strategies in Malaysian schools.

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• Teacher Education in Malaysia
• 26 Teacher Training Colleges and Universiti
  Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) that trains
  teachers for primary and secondary schools
• Faculty of Education at local public universities
  also provide some form of training for teachers
  for special needs.

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• Teacher Education in Malaysia
• Teacher Education has improved over the years
  where the Government encourages young graduates
  to take up teaching as a profession with various
  incentives including better salaries, promotion
  and recognition

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• Conclusion
• With these changes and innovations we can train
  our younger generation and develop knowledge
  economy
• Our dream to propel Malaysia into an advanced
  nation by the year 2020.