Educational News Round Up October 2017

There has been a lot of interesting news for parents with school going kids so far this month of October 2017. Here's a quick look at some of them.

Starting next year, imported English textbooks will be used instead of local ones. (Star Oct 5, 2017). According to the Star article, preschoolers, Standard 1 and 2 including Form 1 and 2 students will start using the new CEFR-alligned curriculum. CEFR stands for Common European Frame­work of Reference for Languages. Parents on our Facebook group reported that their Standard 1 and Form 1 kids have received these textbooks this year but they have yet to start using them. Priced between RM78 and RM135, the books are given free on loan to students under the Skim Pinjaman Buku Teks

While on the subject of books, starting next year, work books not approved by the Ministry of Education will no longer be allowed in schools. (NST Oct 11, 2017). Perhaps this will mean the reduction in bag load. Did you know that History and Moral were not even supposed to have workbooks? That's according to this news report on the Ministry moving to end the heavy bag ordeal for pupils (Star Oct 12, 2017).

In another news, it was reported that the Education Ministry is introducing an Internet safety, online ethics, and time management module, for Years One and Two students next year. (Star Oct 8, 2017). The modules are developed by the CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) in collaboration with the ministry and will be introduced as a pilot project to a few selected schools once ready.

That's quite a lot of interesting news for the new academic year in 2018 don't you think?