1. First and foremost, the MOE welcomes and appreciates the comments by the writer with
regard to the new school curriculum and the issue which surround it. The national school
curriculum is designed based on the principles inherent in the National Philosophy of
Education with the aim towards further developing the potential of individuals in a
holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually,
spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief
in and devotion to God. Towards this aim, relevent initiatives are in place to produce
Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral
standards and who are responsible and capable of acheiving high Stage of personal well-
being as well being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the
society and the nation at large.
The Standards-based Primary School Curriculum (KSSR in Bahasa Malaysia) will be
implemented in stages starting in 2011 to replace the Integrated Primary School
Curriculum (KBSR in Bahasa Malaysia). The implementation of KSSR brings about
certain changes to the curriculum content and practices in the primary school system. The
remodelling of curriculum content through the introduction of new subjects, emphases on
sound pedagogical approaches and holistic assessment menthods are among the
initiatives outlined ini KSSR.
In line with the NKRA for the Ministry, the curriculum for Stage I primary schooling
emphasizes the mastery of the basic 3Rs, reasoning skills, basic ICT, the development of
socio-emotional, spritual, physical, cognitive, attitudes and values. The discipline of
knowledge is categorized into 3 main modules; the core basic module the core thematic
module and the elective module. The core basic module contains 6 subject which are
Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese or Tamil (only for Vernacular Schools), Mathematics,
Islamic Education (for Muslim pupils) or Moral Education (for non-muslim pupils) and
Physical Education. The core thematic module contains 3 subjects which are Arts and
Me, World of Science and Technology and Malaysia Negaraku. The Elective Module
contains language subjects such as Chinese, Tamil, Arabic, Iban, Kadazandusun or Semai
which schools can choose to offer.
At stage II Primary school,
the curriculum emphasizes
strengthening and applying
the 3Rs, basic ICT skills,
development of socio-
emotional, spiritual,
physical, cognitive,
attitudes and values.
Content knowledge is
presented through 9
subjects. Core subjects such
as Bahasa Malaysia,
English, Chinese and Tamil
(for vernacular schools),
Mathematic, Science,
Islamic Education, Moral
Education, Physical

2. Education and Health Education are retained. However, some subject are redesigned
either by combining two or more disciplines of knowledge into one subject. Subject such
as Living Skills, Civics and Citizenship Education and Local Studies are replaced by new
subjects. The new subjects are Design and Technology / Information and Communication
Technology, Visual Arts and Music and History / Malaysia Negaraku.
The KSSR requires teachers to apply classroom strategies which promote creative and
critical thinking and innovation among pupils. Teachers need to carry out teaching and
learning activities which are student-centred, provide opportunities for pupils to explore
and test their hypotheses and ideas, solve problem and most importantly provide a fun
learning environment. Classroom practices such as inquiry-based, problem-based and
project-based are some recommended strategies which promote critical and creative
thinking and innovation among pupils. Teachers need to be sensitive to students’ learning
needs and be able to indentify learning styles which suits them best.
The KSSR proposes the implementation of schools-based assessments to guage students’
potentials and the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process in the classroom.
This formative assessment will inform teachers on suitable remedial or enhancement
treatments for pupils. It will also help teachers indentify and plan salient and effective
classroom strategies.