KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Nov 2008: The government will implement the “First Stack Reading Module” programme for 1,000 primary schools throughout the country beginning next year.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail said the module, inspired by the Australian education system, would start with Year One pupils.
He said this to reporters at a reception to honour participating Malaysian secondary school teachers for The Australia-Malaysia Sister Schools Pilot Project at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence here, today.
“This is a pilot project. The First Stack Reading Module is a system of graded reading system which starts from easy reading before going on to more complex reading material after pupils are able to master the previous lessons.
“This package is to complement our existing modules and through this strategic programme we should be able to enhance English in our schools here,” said Razali.
Razali also aims to benchmark Malaysia’s vocational school reforms based on the best practices of vocational schools in Australia.
The new curricular reforms would be implemented in 2010 and its goal is to develop greater human capital, capable of going straight into the labour market, as soon as they complete school or to give them an edge should they choose to further their studies.
Today, six Malaysian teachers from various cluster schools throughout the country would be leaving to Australia for a visit to their respective sister schools and learn more about the education system there.
The teachers who are expected to return on 28 Nov, would be staying with hosts teachers and experience the cultural diversity of Australia as well as have hands on experience on Australian teaching methods.
Both Razali and the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Penny Williams reminded teachers that one of their core missions would be knowledge sharing. — Bernama
