Ministry on track towards improving education, says Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is on the right track to improve education in the country through various engagement sessions in strategising the new 2027 curriculum, says Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said the ministry has outlined plans to enhance education through the strategic implementation of the planned 2027 curriculum framework, including an earlier start to preschool education in 2026.

She was responding to a question from the media on the importance of teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to children as young as four.

“All input in relation to enhancing STEM, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital education, and strengthening language proficiency, has already been included into the 2027 curriculum framework. So we are on the right track.

“The ministry takes all views into consideration.

“As of now, we are streamlining and getting suggestions from all parties involved, especially the stakeholders in education,” she told reporters after the ELS English Language Ambassador Award essay-writing competition 2023 prizegiving ceremony here on Thursday (May 9).

The ceremony honoured the top 10 winners for excelling in the competition that is held annually with the support of the ministry.

In 2022, ELS introduced the competition as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to contribute to the government’s drive for enhanced English language proficiency among secondary school students.

The annual CSR initiative is tailored to assist Form Four and Five students in refining both their academic and creative writing abilities, aiding them in readiness for the SPM English written examination.

Fadhlina said competitions such as this are an essential part of the Education Ministry’s strategy to emphasise the importance of English proficiency, which is also in line with its six main directions.

These include bolstering the STEM curriculum, advancing digital education, strengthening TVET programmes, refining the school curriculum, early childhood education, as well as the Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the English Language (MBMMBI) initiative.

“Building students’ language proficiency will then go on to influence their paths in TVET, STEM and digital education.

“There must be more initiatives to increase and improve students’ English proficiency through their participation in competitions such as these,” she added.