The Reformation of Science Curriculum

in Malaysia

Dr. Nooraida Yakob

April 22, 20231

INTRODUCTION

April 22, 2023

What is Science?Science is a body of knowledge

Science is a way of knowing based on experimental or observational evidence and its interpretation.

Science is a discipline largely defined by its primary method – the scientific method.

2

What is curriculum…

April 22, 20233

Is a defined and prescribed course of studies or the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university

is prescriptive- based on a more general syllabus which specifies what topics must be understood and to what level to achieve a particular grade or standard.

For example, an elementary school might discuss how its curriculum, or its entire sum of lessons and teachings, is designed to improve national testing scores or help students learn the basics.

Science Curriculum in Malaysia

April 22, 20234

Consist of TWO documents :

Syllabus- presents the aims, objectives and the outline of the curriculum content.

Curriculum specification – learning objectives, suggested learning activities, learning outcomes, motes and vocabulary

THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

April 22, 20235

Our nation, Malaysia, is dedicated to achieving a greater unity of all her peoples; to maintaining a democratic way of life; to creating a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared; to ensuring a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions; to building a progressive society which shall be oriented toward modern science and technology.

NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

April 22, 20236

Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort 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. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving a high level of personal well- being as well as being able to contribute to the betterment of the family, society and the nation at large

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

April 22, 20237

In consonance with the National Education Philosophy, science education in Malaysia nurtures a Science and Technology Culture by focusing on the development of individuals who are competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient and able to master scientific knowledge and technological competency.

Reformation in science curriculumKLSR/KLSM

KBSR/KBSM

Revised

KSSR/KSSM ?

April 22, 20238

In Primary School After 1957 – KLSR

• 1983 - Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Rendah (KBSR)

• 1993 - Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah (KBSR)

 • 2003 - KBSR (revised) • 2011 - Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah

(KSSR)April 22, 20239

In Secondary SchoolAfter 1957 - KLSM

80’s- KBSM

1989 – KBSM

What are the differences between :KBSR/KBSM – newKBSR/KBSM – integrated

April 22, 202310

The Development of Science Education

Science curriculum development in Malaysia is greatly influenced by world’s science development

Initially more emphasis on teaching science facts only.

Practical activities have been downloaded in the textbook and discussed in practice only.

April 22, 202311

The Development of Science Education in Primary School

• Before 1979, primary school science education was introduced as a subject intended for students to learn facts and concepts and to foster students' ability to use facts and processes in Science.

• In 1979, the Ministry of Education has revised primary school curriculum.

• Cabinet Committee to Review the Implementation of Education Policy 1979 has proposed that the primary school curriculum is designed according to three areas, namely communications, man and environment and individual self-development.

April 22, 202312

The Development of Science Education in Primary School

As a result- Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Rendah (KBSR) was implemented in 1983(focusing on reading, writing and computing skill)

Several subjects were combined, including Science.

Science subjects have been combined with Health, History, Geography, and Civic into a new subject called Man and Environment.

April 22, 202313

The Development of Science Education in Primary School

Unfortunately, teachers found it difficult to integrate the five components that originate from different disciplines

Ministry of Education considers the two subjects, namely Kajian Tempatan and Science should be established to replace Man and Environment subjects.

As planned, science subjects have been reviewed in all primary schools in 1994.

April 22, 202314

In 2003ETEMS

medium of instruction- ENGLISHGlobalization need

April 22, 202315

The Development of Science Education in Secondary SchoolDid not changed much except for the

medium of instruction

ETEMS - 2003

MBMMBI - 2012

Primary and secondary schools

April 22, 202316

KLSR and KLSM• KLSR/KLSM implemented by 1957 – 80’s

planned based on subject content. • The content that is often not related to each

subject with other subjects and the details contained in the syllabus is too much.

• This situation burden the students and getting bored to learn science.

• In general, KLSR/KLSM is beyond the capabilities of many students.

April 22, 202317

KLSR/KLSMAmong the biggest weakness is the

content of KLSM/KLSR its contents over emphasize the material in

preparation for achieving excellence. This emphasis has created deficiencies in

the preparation for spiritual excellence.From the pedagogical aspect, the KLSR and

KLSM focus on learning by rote approach and was influenced by behaviorism belief.

Aspect like the understanding, practice and appreciation was not emphasized.

April 22, 202318

KLSR/KLSMAccording to the Cabinet Committee Report

(1980), the science curriculum does not emphasize the use of science in life and do not seek to perfection of human, as conceived by the National Education Philosophy.

April 22, 202319

KLSR/KLSMMost of the existing subjects in KLSM was

continued in KBSM.

However, the organization of content and emphasis is different between KBSM and KLSM.

April 22, 202320

KBSR/KBSMKBSR/KBSM designed to ensure that all

subjects meet the requirements of the role of intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical and social - National Philosophy.

Through the subjects, all of these aspects will develop together and show the relationship between one another.

April 22, 202321

KBSR/KBSM• Science education in Malaysia is carried out

through KBSR and KBSM with the aim of building a progressive scientific society.

• According to the nature of science, science as a process thus the emphasis on science teaching methods are very important.

• Core science courses include Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Additional Science should be taught with the right approach either the classroom or the laboratory.

April 22, 202322

The biggest changes…• the inculcation of values in teaching and learning

• The values was implemented by all subjects in KBSM. • The approach is known as Value Across the

Curriculum.• the acquisition and application of basic skills in daily

activities• restructuring the skills learned from the top to the

most complex by topic• the use of English in teaching Mathematics, Science,

and all technical subjects for Year 1 primary school, Form 1 and Lower 6 beginning in January 2003

• the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning of mathematics and science

April 22, 202323

The Failure…of the science curriculum implementation • teachers themselves do not understand the

philosophy of science education.

many teachers lack confidence and inefficient method of inquiry because of a very large class sizes, in addition to examination stress.

problems of infrastructure, pedagogical issues and the psychological resistance of students and teachers also have a negative impact on the implementation of the science curriculum in schools of Malaysia

April 22, 202324

The Failure… of the science curriculum implementation • teachers tend to use the approach and the traditional teaching

strategies (didactic approach). • is still centered on the teacher and be bound by traditional

methods.• in terms of teaching methods, teacher practice is similar to

the old curriculum policy (KLSM) that stresses memorization.• Other aspects such as understanding, practice and

appreciation were not been emphasized • there are still many teachers using traditional methods of

"Chalk and Talk“ – easier and did not need to provide/prepare teaching aids.

• teachers also emphasize the learning that can improve the performance by focusing on lifelong learning, thus the method of "Chalk and Talk" is used because it is saving time and the equipment is not required.

April 22, 202325

The Failure… of the science curriculum implementation The use of ABM / BBM

too minimal resulting in the T & L is boring and less effective.

Practical Activities for Science subjects was not practiced – less hands-on activity exercised less. If there is a practical activity- it was done by the teacher as

demonstration

Students only learn the theory or learning science as a history of science.A teacher is the main figure in the classroomStudents as active listeners

April 22, 202326

Curriculum ReformationCurriculum reform that is needed to strengthen

the teaching of science.

Holistic changes that involves changing the organization, content, pedagogy, time allocation, assessment methods, materials and curriculum management in schools.

April 22, 202327

Pedagogy…The approach is different from traditional

approach to the experimental activities and practical activities (hands on).

Teaching strategies :Inquiry-discoveryConstructivismContextual learningMastery Learning

April 22, 202328

Pedagogy…

April 22, 202329

Teaching Methods ExperimentsDiscussionSimulationProjectVisits and use of external resourcesUse of technology

Practical/hands-on Activities• Practical learning can help students construct

their own knowledge. • Students will adapt new knowledge and

restructure it with existing knowledge to construct new knowledge.

• Activities hands-on and minds-on has been integrated. • involves students so that they can develop the analytical

thinking, critical, innovative and creativity.• the practical work is usually conducted in groups help

students to have positive feelings and mutual respect, support and respect to each other.

• and develop their interpersonal skill and soft skill.

April 22, 202330

Curriculum Reformation in 2011The new curriculum of the Primary

School (KSSR)has been implemented in primary schools

Secondary schools?

April 22, 202331

KSSR…Insisted on an inquiry approach that

emphasizes learning through experience.

Such strategies consistent with the nature of science itself as a field of knowledge and the inquiry methods and problem solving

April 22, 202332

To make it success…The role of science teachers are very important

They must know their role as an agent of the reformation

They must know and understant the content of a new curriculum

Ministry of Education guide book is needed, in-service training

April 22, 202333

Science Works in 4 Specific Ways:Principles, Processes, Characteristics, & through a Cultural Context

April 22, 202334

1-Science has PrinciplesExplain the natural worldExplanations tested with evidence

from the natural worldWe can learn about the natural

world by gathering evidence

April 22, 2023 35

2- Science Is A ProcessScientific claims are based on reasoning,

testing, and replication; “falsifiable”

Parsimony “THE” Scientific Method?

Theories are central to scientific thinking.

April 22, 2023 36

3- Characteristics of ScienceConclusions are reliable,

though tentativeScience is not democratic

Science is non-dogmatic

Science cannot make moral or aesthetic decisions.

April 22, 2023 37

4- Science Exists in a Cultural Context

Science is not always a direct ascent toward the truth.

Science corrects itself.Science is a human endeavor:

a) Falling in love with one’s own hypothesis

b) Being drawn in by preconceptions

April 22, 2023 38

April 22, 2023

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

CONTENT & CONTENT & SUBJECT SUBJECT MATTERMATTER

NOBLENOBLEVALUEVALUE

ATTITUTEATTITUTESKILLSSKILLS

SCIENCE SCIENCE EDUCATIONEDUCATION

1616 + +33 COMPONENTCOMPONENT

39

April 22, 2023

THEMETHEME

LEARNING LEARNING AREAAREA

LEVEL 1LEVEL 1GENERAL GENERAL LEARNINGLEARNINGOUTCOMEOUTCOME

1- KNOWLWDGE1- KNOWLWDGE

LEARNING LEARNING OUTCOMEOUTCOME

SUGGESTED SUGGESTED ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

SPECIFIC SPECIFIC LEARNINGLEARNINGOUTCOMEOUTCOME

LEVEL 2LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3LEVEL 3

40

April 22, 2023

Science Science Process Process

SkillSkill

Integrated Integrated Science Science Process Process

SkillSkill

BasicBasicScience Science Process Process

SkillSkill

Thinking Thinking SkillSkill

Manipulative Manipulative SkillSkill

CriticalCriticalThinking Thinking

SkillSkill

CreativeCreativeThinking Thinking

SkillSkill

2- SCIENTIFIC 2- SCIENTIFIC SKILLSSKILLS

41

April 22, 2023

Moral ValueMoral Value+ATTITUDE+ATTITUDE

16 16 UNIVERSALUNIVERSAL

SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDES AND

NOBLE VALUES

2020

3- NOBLE VALUE3- NOBLE VALUE

42

ConclusionThe curriculum reformation will always

happen when there is new knowledge or new discoveries.

In addition, also happened due to the changing needs of the society and the political demands.

Thus, a teacher must use the curriculum with their creativity.

April 22, 202343