Wan Saiful (third left, back) with other invited guests sing the national anthem with the children. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Ministry of Education wants to see all the states in Malaysia running Trust Schools Programme to benefit more students nationwide.
Wan Saiful Wan Jan, special advisor to Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, said even though there are presently 83 trust schools across the nation, some states not covered by the programme.
Currently, the programme is available in Johor, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak.
The states that see an absence of the programme are Perlis, Penang, Kedah and Malacca.
“The fact that the number of trust schools has increased to 83 from when it started several years ago is impressive. It goes to show that the trust schools model works.
“We want to see all the states having this programme so that no state is left behind when it comes to comprehensive education,” he said when opening the Trust Schools Conference 2018 at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.
Wan Saiful believes that the three-day conference can serve as a platform for interested parties to pledge their commitment in funding the programme.
He said he hoped to see more private organisations and individuals commit to working with the government in pushing for the transformative agenda.
“It is also our hope to see more parties collaborating with the Ministry of Education to establish the trust schools model,” he said, adding that this is for education excellence.
According to Wan Saiful, the latest teaching environment should be one that motivates students to participate actively in class.
Towards this end, he said schools had to make sure that their leaders are capable and visionary besides having competent and aspiring teachers, committed parents and united community.
Trust Schools Programme is customised according to the school’s readiness per the baseline observation conducted prior to the implementation of the programme.
Under the programme, school leaders are guided to take charge of curriculum, staffing, procurement, pupil policies, utilisation of funds collected as well as timetable and school calendar.
There are 15 trust schools in Sarawak; namely SK Tabuan, SK Combined, SK Kg. Empila, SM Sains Kuching, SMK Seri Setia, SK Siar Campuran, SK Stunggang Melayu, SK Sampadi, SK Bumiputera, SMK Sungai Maong, SMK Muara Tuang, SMK Lundu, SK Kg. Tanjung Tuang, SK Niup and SK St Michael Entingan.