The Ministry of Education (MoE) is encouraging teachers of all levels to teach according to the Minimum Adequate Syllabus (MAS); focusing on skills selection in addition to the teacher’s analysis of important materials and topics such as past year’s examination questions to develop student’s abilities and increase their knowledge. The ministry stresses the importance of continuous learning even during this Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
According to the ministry, teachers should utilize teaching tools to assist students more effectively to understand the lessons. As to whether the extension of the MCO will affect the student’s learning performance, the ministry pointed out that it will be the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that all teaching content is conducted according to the minimum standard syllabus and subsequently minimising any negative impact towards the student’s learning progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. How can a teacher ensure that teaching continues to take place during the MCO?
Teachers can creatively apply various methods to distribute assignments to students. For students who have access to technology, teachers can connect with them through various platforms such as WhatsApp, Google Classroom and Microsoft 360.
2. For students without the access to technology, how can teachers ensure their learning progress will not be affected?
Teachers can distribute assignments to students or parents through mobile applications such as WhatsApp or use SMS if the student does not have a mobile phone especially primary school students. In this age of technology advancement, every household would have at least one communication device such as a smartphone. The tasks given should be limited to the student’s textbooks, workbooks or reference books and no additional book purchase is required to avoid unnecessary burden to the parents.
3. Does the assignment distributed by the teacher need to include content that has not been taught?
No. The main purpose of the assignment provided by the teacher to students is to strengthen the students’ learning ability. Teachers can also encourage students to find a variety of learning materials such as textbooks, reference books and mock exam questions. Students should make an effort to practice what has been taught before in school.
4. What are the required criteria for teachers to provide teaching materials for students of different learning levels during the MCO?
Teachers may prepare relevant teaching materials and allocate a series of customised assignments according to the students’ ability. Teachers can also share lesson notes, pointers or creative mind maps with students as a good reference guide. In addition, students are encouraged to adopt a proactive attitude to explore more in-depth into their textbooks, reference materials or websites provided by the teacher.
5. What type of exercises or assignments can teachers provide to students?
Teachers can choose to use textbooks, workbooks and activity books for teaching. For hands-on curriculum such as cooking and gardening which comes under Design and Craftsmanship (RBT), this can be provided in the form of project-based learning programs (PBL). The Ministry of Education also encourages parents to assist their children in this project and teachers can make full use of Google Forms to provide tests and share relevant links.
6. Is there a minimum number of exercises that a teacher must provide?
Each subject must be practiced at least once a week, as determined by the teacher.
7. How can teachers ensure the students complete their assigned exercises and assignments?
Teachers can seek the parents’ cooperation to supervise the students’ learning progress and share the answers with students. This will be a good time of self-evaluation for students.
8. Can teachers instruct the students to complete their assigned homework within a limited time?
No. Students are allowed some measure of flexibility to complete their assignment to avoid having undue stress.
9. When students fail to complete their assigned homework, can teachers take action against them when they return to school?
No. Teachers should think of creative ways to motivate and encourage students to complete their homework.
10. Are the teachers required to prepare a daily teaching plan (Rancangan Pengajaran Harian)?
No. Teachers only need to briefly record student’s assignments and homework.
11. How can teachers optimise their teaching methods to ensure students can continue to learn effectively?
After the end of the MCO, teachers can continue to use the MAS to prepare the relevant teaching and learning tools required during the process of Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran (PdP).
12. What does Minimum Adequate Syllabus (MAS) mean?
The Minimum Adequate Syllabus refers to key materials and topics which focuses on skill selection or analysis conducted by teachers to develop students’ abilities and increase their knowledge.
13. What type of preparations and actions must teachers take in learning and teaching (PdP)?
The Ministry of Education encourages teachers of all grades to promote teaching through an online professional learning team (PLC) according to the minimum standard syllabus. Teachers can equip themselves to study the annual preparation plan (RPT) and identify topics and skills which are relevant to teach and develop a new lesson schedule and plans.
14. What aspects of preparations are required from the teachers after the MCO ends?
Teachers should make wise learning and teaching plans in accordance to the order of priority for the minimum standard syllabus. In addition, teachers must reconsider the strategic planning within the learning and teaching style to improve the classroom assessment (PBD) in the following levels such as first stage of primary school, final examination for the fourth and fifth grades (PAT), UPSR, PT3, SPM and other school examinations.
15. Does the teacher have to complete the teaching course when the school resumes?
No. Teachers should use their discretion to decide based on their priorities and student’s learning abilities. Teachers are encouraged to apply the minimum standard syllabus after returning to school. Choose the key topics in the curriculum and evaluation standard document (DSKP) and use modularity for teaching.
16. Should teachers be concerned about the possibility of insufficient teaching time when school resumes?
There is no need to be concerned or worried as long as teachers follow and apply the minimum standard syllabus for teaching.
17. Can I focus my teaching materials on key topics that are frequently tested in the examination; especially on the subjects covered in UPSR, PT3 and SPM?
Yes. The learning and teaching materials can be modified and designed according to the minimum standard syllabus.
18. Will the extension of the MCO affect students’ learning performance?
No. Teachers must ensure that everything is taught according to the minimum standard syllabus.
19. Is it fair or reasonable for all students to study according to the minimum standard syllabus regardless of their ability level?
No. The minimum standard syllabus does not marginalise the students according to their level of abilities. The topics selected and subjects covered are considered the minimum requirements for students to learn effectively.
20. How can teachers help students of different levels to improve their understanding of the learning content?
Teachers can prepare effective teaching aids and use the minimum standard syllabus for teaching key topics to enable students to develop a better understanding on the teaching content.
21. Based on the movement control order, do teachers need to be concerned for those students preparing for exams for UPSR, PT3 and SPM?
This should not be a cause for concern. The minimum standard syllabus will help teachers overcome this problem. School Improvement Specialist Trainers (SISC+) will be ready to assist teachers to understand this method and prepare students for teaching.
22. The Malay Literature is an important subject of the Primary Six Assessment Test (UPSR). How should the Mandarin teachers of SJK(C) and SJK(T) ensure that the students can prepare for the subject?
Teachers can prepare targeted Chinese language exercises for such primary school students according to the minimum standard syllabus. They can also ask the school’s improvement specialist trainer (SISC +) for assistance and guidance online. In addition, teachers can provide appropriate and customised learning materials suitable for students of all levels of ability.
23. How does a Mandarin teacher in the secondary school distribute exercises without placing additional pressure on the students?
SPM Mandarin teachers can organise to allow students to practice writing by focusing on paragraphs. For example, the first homework focuses on the opening remarks of the first paragraph, the second homework focuses on the content, and the third homework is writing the conclusion. This makes it easier for teachers to review and manage students’ work.
24. The ‘kerja
kursus” reports of PT3 and SPM students is also affected. Does the report need to be completed within the specified time
or will it be postponed?
At the moment, we are still awaiting for the latest instruction from the Ministry of Education. At this stage, teachers can only guide according to the existing methods.
25. Will the school’s mid-year examination dates and schedule be maintained?
This is depending on the school’s instructions.
26. What are the topics covered by teachers for the mid-year examinations?
The scope of the subjects and topics prepared should be according to the lessons taught previously while taking into consideration the challenges faced during the movement control order.
27. Is it necessary for the school’s members (Ahli Panitia) to take responsibility for the strategic plan (Perancangan Strategik) to continue implementing the originally planned project?
The Ministry of Education allows teachers to modify the course dates listed in the strategy plan according to the situation. If the course requires to be cancelled due to time constraints, you must provide valid reasons.
Source: https://www.sinchew.com.my/content/content_2242348.html
