Category: Education

The two-day national examination of Grade 12 high school students will begin on Nov. 6 nationwide with a total of 137,412 candidates.

The official opening will take place at Preah Sisowath High School in Phnom Penh under the presidency of H.E. Hang Chuoun Naron, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports.

On Sunday, a day ahead of the examination date, students lined up for checking their names and table numbers on the information boards at each high school and exam centre.

The Grade 12 students will sit for the exam subjects of earth and environment, geography, history, biology, foreign language, Khmer literature, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and morality-civics.

Phnom Penh and Kandal province results are expected to be announced on Nov. 28, while the remaining provinces the following day.

The exam is a prerequisite for high school graduates to pursue their studies at the university level.

Last year, 90,950, or 72.33 percent of the total 125,735 candidates passed their annual high school graduation exam.

Source: Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

A total of 3,067 students from tertiary schools in Ilocos Norte province received PHP5,000 cash each on Saturday through the initiative of Senator Imee Marcos.

As she promised during the first batch of educational aid distribution at San Nicolas Mini Cultural Center on Aug. 17, Marcos returned with the second batch of educational assistance.

The senator first made a stop at the Imelda Cultural Center in Batac City where 2,000 students waited for her and proceeded to the Laoag City Centennial Arena here for a similar educational aid distribution for 1,067 beneficiaries.

Marcos said the dream of every Ilocano family is to have their children finish their education hence, the need to help them realize that dream and ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to finish school no matter what.

The initiative is under the ‘Makabasa Latta’ program (all learners get access to education) and part of the services of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The financial assistance prioritized students whose farmer-parents’ sources of income were affected by tropical cyclones.

‘We have been devastated by a series of typhoons and so we will be distributing 904 educational assistance tonight,’ Marcos said in her speech in Batac City.

After receiving an overwhelming number of applicants in need of educational assistance during the first batch of distribution, Marcos assured over 7,000 more would receive something from the government.

“Uray narigat ti panagbiag, makabasa latta, agturpos latta (Despite the hardships in life, you go to school and finish your studies). We are behind you in every effort,” she said as she lauded the resilience of Ilocanos to overcome obstacles.

In Ilocos Sur, 2,500 village health workers received PHP3,000 each at Vigan Convention Center under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, likewise arranged by Marcos’ office.

Source: Philippines News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) always takes serious measures to continue to make the Malay language or Bahasa Melayu an important part of the country’s higher education agenda as it deserves to be a catalyst that triggers and drives the restoration of a good system in society.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said one of them was the launch of the Action Plan for the Empowerment of Bahasa Melayu as the Language of Knowledge in institutions of higher learning (IPTs).

“Under the action plan, the MOHE agrees with the proposal that general university subjects that are compulsory for international students be replaced with a Malay Communication Course according to the suitability and study programme at a university.

“In addition, the ministry’s efforts also cover the recognition of language figures, the establishment of Bahasa Melayu chairs and close cooperation with various institutions that offer Malay language-related studies around the world.

“We strive for all of this because we believe that the Malay language has its own strengths and we want more people to study the Malay language as an important and potential field,” he said when officiating the 15th International Malay Language Final Speech Competition (PABM) 2023 at Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here tonight.

Mohamed Khaled said that in elevating the position of the Malay language and the prestige of the field of study, the ministry also has a number of targets, among which is to make Bahasa Melayu one of the attractions in the success of knowledge diplomacy.

He said this means that, in building and strengthening international relations based on knowledge and science, the Malay language must be part of the highlighted disciplines.

“The Malay language must become a universal language in highlighting a good value system, especially in translating the national agenda that cuts across races and nationalities.

“MADANI Malaysia, for example, is a national ethos that is based on a good value system that should be the basis and image of a cultured nation with full commitment and pride,” he said.

He added the MOHE also welcomed the insistence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who wants all written business and official Government correspondence to be done in Bahasa Melayu.

“We want to emphasise clearly that language is not only the soul of the nation, but it is the essence and identity of a country, and holds a special position. It does not just take up space in the Constitution, without being put into practice in all areas and disciplines,” he said.

The PABM, introduced in 2007, involves three categories, namely the Malay Nature category with participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand; the International category contested by countries other than in the Malay Nature category; and the International Student category open to university students in Malaysia other than the countries for the Malay Nature category.

The preliminary rounds and quarter-finals were held online in September and the top three from each category then took part in tonight’s face-to-face final rounds at USM.

A total of seven countries were involved in the final rounds, namely Malaysia, Brunei, Uzbekistan, China, Bangladesh, Sudan and Timor Leste.

The winner of each category received RM10,000 cash, a challenge trophy and a trophy while the runner-up received RM8,000 each. Those who finished third took home RM5,000 each.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Basic education learners are told to attend classes this Friday, via a blended learning module, a regional educational official said on Thursday. Salustiano Jimenez, Department of Education (DepEd)-Central Visayas regional director, said classes shall resume on Friday following a long break for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections and Undas 2023. ‘They have classes but on different platforms. So we don’t have face-to-face classes tomorrow (Friday), but only modular,’ Jimenez said, adding that some pupils are still in their home province to celebrate All Souls and All Saints Day. He noted, however, that some schools, especially those in rural areas might experience difficulties in holding classes through the online platform, thus he gave teachers leeway on which modular-printed classes they may take to deliver their lessons to the learners. He said DepEd-7 will not penalize teachers who will call students to attend face-to-face classes, depending on circumstances in their areas. DepEd issued a memorandum on Oct. 27 clarifying class arrangements for Oct. 31 and Nov. 3, which said that ‘no physical attendance required and public school teaching personnel are not obligated to attend school physically on these dates.” The memo also emphasized blended learning where school heads are allowed to use remote monitoring systems.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The government will implement a multi-tiered levy system in the near future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

It is aimed at securing job opportunities for locals and promoting automation and mechanisation while maintaining the policy of limiting foreign workers to 15 per cent of the total workforce.

According to Anwar, skills mismatch, low wages, and slow productivity growth are the key issues hindering Malaysia’s ability to transition to a high-income economy.

“The government has unveiled several bold initiatives to implement a progressive wage model that benefits both workers and employers.

“This policy involves increasing wages, skills, and worker productivity, while employers will benefit from improved productivity, employee loyalty and company competitiveness,” he said when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review (12MP MTR) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government will intensify efforts to ensure that the female labour force participation rate reaches the target of 60 per cent within a period of 10 years.

“Efforts to encourage women to remain in or rejoin the workforce will be enhanced by providing essential facilities and support, including childcare services, financial incentives, and flexible working hours.

“Among the programmes implemented are the MamaCare initiative, affordable childcare centre incentives, the Career Come Back Programme, and workplace daycare fee subsidies,” he added.

Anwar said the role of women in the care economy will also be recognised as an effort to increase their participation in the labour market and address the challenges of a shrinking workforce due to the ageing population trend.

To empower Persons with Disabilities (PwD), their information will be integrated into the MyFutureJobs portal and procedures for their recruitment in the civil service will be improved to achieve a one per cent representation.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The government is concerned about the issue of school dropouts and aims to resolve it comprehensively through the implementation of the Integrated Dropouts Tracking System.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said special model schools such as Comprehensive Special Model School Year 9 (K9) and Comprehensive Special Model School Year 11 (K11) will be expanded to provide opportunities to Orang Asli children, as well as those from remote and isolated areas to access education.

“The Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih (SBJK) initiative for marginalised and stateless children will also be expanded,” he said when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-Term Review in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Prime Minister said character education supporting the concept of human dignity (karamah insaniah) will be introduced through a systemic and holistic approach, with the hope of developing students’ identities towards becoming global talents equipped with knowledge, ethics, and noble morals.

The government is committed to improving the education system to develop the country’s future talents. With the concept of karamah insaniah, the emphasis will be on character and personality development to shape individuals and produce a resilient and competitive generation, he added.

The Prime Minister said the Digital Education Policy (DPD) will be launched to develop digitally skilled students in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) to improve education in the country.

“The objective of DPD is to produce digitally proficient and competitive students through the enhancement of knowledge, skills, and values. Among the key initiatives are the implementation of digital education competency training programmes, curriculum programme improvements, and the establishment of digital education experts’ teams,” he added.

The holistic education development based on human values will be supported through the creation of knowledgeable and skilled human capital in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Additionally, Form 6 education will be strengthened through rebranding as a pre-university college.

“The government will continue to ensure Bahasa Melayu, which is the national language, is elevated within the education system, in line with its position stipulated in the Federal Constitution, and improve foreign languages as a means of building civilisation,” he said.

Anwar said the government is also committed to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Teaching staff in related fields will be encouraged to undergo skill training and retraining, ensuring they possess knowledge, in line with emerging technologies.

“To increase cooperation between the government, government-linked companies (GLCs), and private companies in TVET programme transformation, efforts to engage industries have been prioritised,” he added.

He added that as of July, 43 memoranda of understanding (MoUS) have been signed between the government, 14 GLCs, and 29 private companies involving 12 ministries related to TVET. These partnerships cover areas such as expertise contribution, equipment, curriculum development, and training sponsorship.

The government has also allocated RM40 million for the Career Building Programme, a skills enhancement (upskilling) programme for non-formal workers, including gig workers with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level qualifications and below.

“The government believes that the decision to review a salary increase for TVET graduates could change the public’s perception of TVET as a career choice,” he said.

Recognising that almost 50 per cent of SPM holders do not pursue higher education, the government is offering youths a chance to start their careers early in the manufacturing sector as skilled workers with competitive salaries.

“Through the Academy in Industry (AiI) initiative, the government will allocate a special fund of RM209 million, including placement allowance. We aim to provide skilled employment opportunities to 50,000 of our youths with the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) by the end of 12MP,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Pahang government has allocated RM14.767 million for the implementation of various assistance and initiatives specifically for education thus far, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

The recipients of the assistance, channelled through the Bantuan Prihatin Pahang initiative, include Year One pupils, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) candidates as well as those in institutions of higher learning (IPT).

Apart from that, Wan Rosdy said the state government via Yayasan Pahang has also provided educational assistance including scholarships, with RM1.4 billion having been spent since the foundation’s establishment in 1982.

“Education is an area that the state government places great emphasis on to help build knowledgeable and confident Pahang youths. For sure various types of development, assistance as well as initiatives have been planned and implemented so that Pahang youths do not drop out of school,” he said.

Wan Rosdy said this in his speech at the launch of the book titled ‘Budi Pujangga’ and Pahang Museum Education Club held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Perempuan) Methodist here today.

Also present were the Pahang State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, who previously served as the Pahang Museum Corporation chairman, and the corporation’s director Datuk Ahmad Farid Abdul Jalal.

On the establishment of the Pahang Museum Education Club, Wan Rosdy said it was hoped that the club would increase the appreciation of history as well as strengthen the identity of the country’s future generations.

“An interest in history needs to be cultivated in students and they should be given exposure so that they do not forget the historical heritage of the state and the country,” he also said.

The book, ‘Budi Pujangga’, is a collaboration between the Pahang Museum Corporation and the state Education Department. It contains a combination of Malay poetry namely pantun, seloka and gurindam that display the heritage and culture of the people in Pahang.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) 17th Jelajah Ilmu (Knowledge Tour) to Latvia and Estonia, from Sept 10 to 17, aims to broaden the students’ minds and perspectives.

UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaliman Sauli said the delegation made a stop in Sharjah and visited the University of Sharjah before departing for Latvia and Estonia today.

“The tour aims to expand students perspectives and promote global thinking,” he said to Bernama here yesterday.

The UniMAP Jelajah Ilmu is led by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who is also the university’s chancellor. He was accompanied by Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, who is UniMAP pro-chancellor, and their son, Syed Sirajuddin Areeb Putra.

The tour also aims to familiarise students with effective leadership and managing relationships with international student associations.

Meanwhile, the 17th Knowledge Tour to the Baltic External Relations head and secretariat Dr Farah Farhana Zainal said 23 students and three staff members are involved in this edition.

Some of the planned activities for the tour include visiting technical universities in both countries to establish academic and research partnerships, as well as promoting the Visit Perlis Year (TMP) 2024-2025, Farah Farhana added.

“One of the programmes to promote TMP 2024-2025 is the Perlis Food Promotion, introducing the state’s traditional dishes like Laksa Perlis, Kurma Daging Perlis, Pulut Mempelam, Garam Belacan, and various traditional desserts.

“In addition, our students will perform three traditional dances during the UniMAP Jelajah Ilmu — Ayam Didik, Hadrah, and Joget Malaysia,” she added.

Sharjah is one of the seven emirates forming the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the third-largest emirate in the UAE, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency