THE issues raised in the World Bank report titled “Bending Bamboo Shoots: Strengthening Foundation Skills” regarding the country’s education system have actually been addressed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in a progressive and proactive manner, reports Bernama.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that the MOE is currently implementing various crucial initiatives for the reform of the national education system, including the restructuring of the preschool system, the School Curriculum for 2027, and curriculum interventions to address learning loss.

“We must remain optimistic about our education system. Any report should be carefully examined and addressed with progressive action. The MOE has already announced our education reform, starting with the establishment of a special committee to examine and promptly implement these reforms.

“For example, the preschool expansion committee has been implemented, and 2023 and 2024 are significant years for preschool expansion at MOE institutions,” she said.

She was speaking to reporters after delivering a lecture at the Distinguished Lecture Series on Youth Well-Being organised by the Institute of Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Fadhlina highlighted that the MOE has conducted a series of engagements with stakeholders regarding the future of education in Malaysia.

She added that these engagement sessions also discussed the framework for the 2027 school curriculum.

“The sessions addressed several questions, concerns, and community anxieties about what should be taught, and our educational focus. This curriculum will be fully implemented in 2027, but preschool will begin earlier, in 2026.

“Currently, our team is undertaking various interventions, engagement sessions, and also beginning to prepare teachers for these new curriculum frameworks,” she said. – May 2, 2024.