Muhyiddin test-driving the Uniten solar car with Adnan (back seat, left) and Hasan as passengers. — Bernama photo
MUADZAM SHAH: The government will upgrade 3,000 secondary school laboratories from next year to enable more effective teaching and learning of science subjects, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the move was meant to revive the practical training aspect in the laboratory, thus improving students’ understanding of the subject.
“In the past, the teaching system of science did not emphasise laboratory tests, but were more towards theory, now we want to change so that there are more practical tests.
“That is why we are re-looking at laboratories …we have completed an overall study of 3,000 secondary schools and we found that there is a need to upgrade the laboratories,” he told reporters after attending a gathering of teachers and Rompin education department staff at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah campus of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) here yesterday.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Rompin parliamentary by-election Datuk Hasan Arifin.
Muhyiddin said the Education Ministry planned to make practical tests a part of the examination for science subjects.
However, he said the process of upgrading and providing the laboratories with equipment needed an allocation of RM500 million.
“We will implement it in phases beginning next year, most probably the exercise can be completed in two years and science can be taught more through practical exercises,” he said.
He added that the capabilities of science teachers would also be upgraded to enable them to teach the subject more effectively to students.
Earlier, in his speech, Muhyiddin said he wanted educators to give their total commitment to making the National Education Policy a success.
He also reminded all teachers not to be tied to conventional approaches, but to think outside the box and be innovative in making changes for the benefit of their respective schools.
“I want to see schools which are led by dedicated teachers, aided and supported by parents to attain their targets, whether in examinations or co-curriculum,” he said. — Bernama