SHAH ALAM - While centralised exams may not be the root of all educational woes, Malaysian schools face a more critical challenge: ensuring learning goes beyond rote memorisation and prepares students for real-life application.
This was the key takeaway from Samuel Isaiah, a 2020 Global Teacher Award finalist, at Discourse Series 429 titled "UPSR, PT3: Need a 'u-turn'?" broadcasted live on Sinar platforms.
Instead of a complete overhaul, Samuel stressed the need for the Education Ministry to revamp existing learning methods to nurture critical thinking, not just churning out paper tigers.
He said the current generation desires academic learning with tangible connections to life.
"We're on the right track," Isaiah said, but to truly unlock critical thinking, teaching needs to shift from rote memorisation to fostering good writing ideas through active thought processes.
He emphasised the shared desire of educators for meaningful learning to equip students for both academic success and life skills.
To achieve this, Samuel advocated for stronger teacher training and quality assessments before entering classrooms.
He pointed out the importance of high-level learning methods that actively involve students through experiential activities to deepen subject understanding.
"Enhanced teacher training aligned with the current syllabus is crucial," Isaiah affirmed, recognising its direct impact on the nation's educational landscape.