IT is due largely to the al-Quran's emphasis on learning (ilm) that Muslim scholars explored child education and discipline at an early stage and made significant contributions to the subject. A great deal of stress is also placed on amal saalih (virtuous conduct), which is seen as a concomitant aspect of Islam's outlook on education.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

THE lifting of the quota for Malaysians to enrol in international schools has brought much rejoicing to some quarters, especially those who want English as the medium of instruction. It is clear that those who can afford an international school education will benefit most from the latest move, despite the high cost incurred to enrol in such schools.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

LAST month, a special report by The Economist magazine announced the dawn of the third industrial revolution, built on the idea of individualised production powered by 3D printers and nano devices that create objects atom by atom. It talked of a not-so-distant age when the global centre of gravity of production -- which in the 1970s moved to developing countries like China, Malaysia, Taiwan -- will revert to the developed world, in order to be nearest to the 'brains'........... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

After much clamouring from various parties, the Education Ministry (MOE) is doing a total review of the education system by holding a nationwide dialogue for feedback.

 

In 2010, MOE announced the abolishment of the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) exam in 2016 despite objections from those who felt exams were needed to drive learning.

 

MOE will need the same fortitude soon to make unpopular yet needed changes. There is none so critical now as getting rid of our test-centred, grades-obsessed educational culture to establish a public school system of choice for all Malaysians.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)