By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 7: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will roll out a new co-teaching approach in 2027, featuring two teachers in a single classroom as part of an upcoming nationwide curriculum reform.
According to Berita Harian, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the reform aims to balance academic achievement with moral integrity, discipline and good values.
She explained that under the co-teaching method, two teachers will conduct lessons together in the same classroom, not as teacher and assistant, but as equal educators working collaboratively to make learning more effective and engaging for students.
“We believe the co-teaching method involving active interaction in the classroom is seen as the best way to ensure that each student receives the attention they deserve,” she told Berita Harian in an interview on November 5.
She added that co-teaching will also help manage overcrowded classrooms more effectively, serving as a short-term measure while infrastructure upgrades continue.
“The two teachers teaching in the same class can address the problem of crowded classes that make it difficult for students to focus, which ultimately leads to them being left behind in their subjects.”
The new curriculum will place greater focus on integrated learning, blending subjects like English, Science and Music in one session to foster cross-disciplinary understanding.
Another highlight of the reform is the incorporation of moral and character education across all subjects, replacing the current practice of limiting such values to Islamic or Moral Education classes.
Fadhlina said that the new curriculum will require all teachers, whether teaching Science, English, Mathematics or other subjects, to integrate values and character development into their lessons.
To reinforce this, a weekly 60-minute Character Building Programme will be introduced for both primary and secondary schools, focusing on activities that nurture positive attitudes and moral reflection.
Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the gradual introduction of the Character Building Programme, which will begin with preschool students next year before being extended to Year One and Form One pupils in 2027, is aimed at nurturing values and positive character from an early age.
She noted that the initiative also seeks to encourage greater parental and community involvement in the education process.
“Preschoolers are easily molded, they learn through observation and imitation. At this stage, parents are closer to their children, so they can work with teachers to build character and noble values,” she said.
Fadhlina stressed the importance of shared responsibility, saying that character building should not fall solely on teachers, parents, or schools.
“We no longer want a culture of blame. The formation of good character must be a collective effort,” added Fadhlina.
All preschool teachers will be ready to implement the new approach when the school year begins next year, while training for Year One and Form One teachers is set to commence in 2026. — DayakDaily
