31/12/2025

WEDNESDAY | DEC 31, 2025

3 Rethinking education beyond exams and rote learning

A recent circular signed by Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad stated that wearing a necktie will be optional if agreed upon by both the school and parents, and that no party should coerce or pressure students on the matter. The policy takes practical student needs into account, including the hot and humid local climate that can make daily necktie-wearing uncomfortable and aims to reduce household financial burdens associated with school uniforms. A parent, who wished to be known only as Khadijah, said she is grateful that neckties are no longer compulsory. “I hope my son’s school will consider allowing students not to wear a tie. “I have lost count of how many ties I have had to buy for my son, as he keeps losing them. He took it off after school while waiting for his school bus and ended up misplacing it. “He is still in primary school, so this tie-wearing is just not suitable for our Report flags rising floods, cooler temperatures PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Statistics Malaysia yesterday released the Compendium of Environment Statistics 2025. The average maximum temperatures recorded at 42 meteorological stations showed a decline at 33 stations, ranging from 0.1 to 1.3 degrees Celsius, while two stations registered a slight increase throughout 2024. Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Chuping station recorded the highest at 32 degrees Celsius, while Cameron Highlands recorded the lowest at 17 degrees Celsius. The report said 22 stations recorded an increase in annual rainfall, with rises ranging from 51mm to 2,230.9mm. Kapit station recorded the highest total rainfall of 5,624.0mm, while the lowest was recorded at Kuala Pilah station with 1,704.3mm. “In general, the diverse impacts of global climate change in 2024 included a sharp rise in flood incidents across Malaysia, totalling 1,345 cases compared with 809 the previous year. “Sarawak recorded the highest incidence with 459 cases, followed by Terengganu (199) and Kedah (101).” The report also highlighted an increase in clinical waste, which rose by 11.8% in 2024 following two consecutive years of decline. He said the total volume increased to 46,700mt , compared with 41,800mt in 2023. “The largest volume of clinical waste was generated in Selangor (11,800mt), followed by Kuala Lumpur (5,100mt) and Sarawak (5,000mt).” The statistical compendium provides environmental statistics across six components – environmental conditions and quality; natural resources and their use; waste; extreme events and disasters; human settlements and environmental health; and environmental engagement, management and protection. – Bernama

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

embracing student-centred assessment, with teachers best placed to assess both students’ knowledge and character. He added that parents and society at large must align with these reforms rather than remain attached to the old content-based exam system. “Assessment reforms are moving Malaysia in the right direction, fostering holistic development, including physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and social skills. “Teachers and parents should receive professional training in student-centred pedagogy and classroom assessment, which are essential for meaningful learning.” Looking ahead, Majid said the implementation of the 13th Malaysian Plan (2026–2030) and new education blueprints for both schools and higher education institutions will be pivotal. He emphasised that effective communication and implementation are key and that teachers, staff, parents and the wider community must have the right knowledge and mindset to carry out reforms successfully. “By working with local and international partners, we are moving from rote, content-based learning to outcome-based, student-centred education. Our qualified teachers are committed to implementing these reforms, and parents and stakeholders must continue to support meaningful change. “We are optimistic about the future of our education system.”

o Looking ahead to 2026, academics urge deep reforms, mindset shift to prepare students for future classrooms

PETALING JAYA: As 2025 winds down, Malaysia’s education sector has marked key developments, from the rollout of digital learning tools in rural schools to pilot programmes boosting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and critical thinking skills. Despite persistent challenges such as teacher shortages and uneven resources, policymakers and educators view the above initiatives as crucial steps towards modernising the system and readying students for tomorrow’s demands. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad stressed that beyond budget and staffing, systemic reform and mindset change are crucial to realising the full potential of Malaysia’s education system. “The key is to change our mindset and the way bureaucracy functions. If we don’t, we will remain in the current form. But there is hope.” Anuar also highlighted a wider structural gap in Malaysia’s education system, saying that it remains trapped in a developing country model, where classrooms are largely teacher-centred and textbook-based, with lessons focused on deductive learning rather than creativity, critical thinking, communication or problem-solving.

importance of teacher and student competency, as educators should have a deep understanding of education, mastering fields such as psychology, pedagogy and sociology, while also embracing a strong foundation in education philosophy. “Philosophy does not mean sticking to old practices. It is about thinking what is best for our children today and what will serve them well in the next 15 to 20 years. I believe this is extremely important.” Malaysia Association for Education president Dr Mohd Majid Konting said looking ahead to 2026, Malaysia’s education system must prioritise resilience and student-centred learning. “Meaningful learning is the essence of a resilient and student centred education. Teaching and learning must fully support this, especially if we aim to develop students’ character holistically, in line with our National Philosophy of Education,” he added. On assessment reform, Majid said this year’s SPM changes show the need to shift from the content based secondary school curriculum to the standard secondary school curriculum, which is a learning-outcomes focused curriculum that requires

“Teachers are still teaching while students listen and methods remain largely textbook-driven. In more developed education systems, teachers have autonomy and are trusted to tailor lessons to the needs of their students.” He also cited the system’s centralisation as a barrier, with decisions from lesson planning to school closures previously requiring approval from superiors. Only recently have schools gained more authority to make such decisions independently. “We are still thinking like a developing country, centralised and rigid. To move forward, we need a system that gives teachers and school staff confidence to implement the best educational practices according to their students’ needs.” Anuar also called for a change in mindset, saying Malaysia needs an education system that gives teachers more freedom while keeping up with digital tools and modern teaching methods. He cautioned that piecemeal changes could inadvertently affect other systems and emphasised that reforms must consider broader classroom impacts rather than simply meeting administrative requirements. Anuar also stressed the

School neckties optional for students next year PETALING JAYA: Malaysian pupils and students will no longer be required to wear neckties from next year, the Education Ministry announced, leaving the decision to schools and parents. climate. It is too hot and humid. They should consider introducing cooling uniforms with collars, similar to what golfers wear, where they just need to button up and still look smart in their khaki pants.”

The no-necktie policy takes practical student needs into account, including the hot and humid climate that can make daily necktie-wearing uncomfortable. – BERNAMAPIC

One parent, who wished to be known as Jessica, felt that neckties still have a role in school uniforms, as they help children look clean and presentable. “Wearing a necktie can also help students develop a sense of responsibility, as they learn to take care of their uniform and dress appropriately for school,” she said. Having a similar view, civil servant Marziana Ab Rashid, 49, said that wearing neckties should continue, as it reflects a student’s identity and indirectly instils a sense of discipline and personal grooming. She added that neckties encourage students to present themselves neatly and professionally, which is an important habit to cultivate from a young age. “In line with current practice, students could wear neckties at least once a week, allowing them to maintain a polished appearance on certain days while enjoying more comfort on others,” she said. A Form Two student, who wished

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However, he acknowledged that he would still need to wear a tie because he is a school prefect. Meanwhile, a 13-year-old student backed the move to make neckties optional, describing it as a practical change. “I think it’s cool that ties are optional now. They’re super

to be known only as Abdullah, welcomed the decision, saying it is too hot most of the time to wear a necktie. “It is so uncomfortable, and I look forward to wearing my sports and co curriculum attire on the designated days my school has decided,” he added.

Malaysia’s heat. “Most of the time, we’re already in sports attire for PE and other activities, so this just makes school a bit easier. “As long as everyone still dresses neatly, I think it’s a good and practical change.” - By Qirana Nabillah Mohd Rashidi