Form Six can be an institution on its own, say education experts

 

The Form Six education system should be transformed into becoming something that is separate from the current-school-based module. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: The Form Six education system should be transformed into becoming something that is separate from the current-school-based module.

Education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad said Form Six learning could be an institution similar to college and university.

He said the teaching and learning of Form Six could be done in buildings under the Education Ministry, agencies, training centres or even at Mara institutions.

"It should take on the college and university concept where students are no more in uniforms. Students follow university guidelines. And there should be heightened and different interactions between students and teachers, who should be rebranded as lecturers.

"Perhaps, they should not be called Form Six students anymore. That is inaccurate as they are diploma students, or perhaps they should be called college students.

"In terms of teaching and learning, it should lean towards lectures, iscussions and assignments without the homework which students at school do. I think that's what the prime minister hopes for," he told the New Straits Times.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Form Six environment needed to be changed so it could become more like matriculation because the school years end at Form Five.

The prime minister had said Form Six education should not be too bound by regular school rules. He said many sixth formers,complained about the rules and culture and urged for some change.

Anuar said in line with the higher standard of learning, Form Six teachers should possess at least a masters degree or higher with specialisations in subjects like English, History or Mathematics and be DG48 grade and above.

In terms of curriculum design, he said it should match with what students undergo in their first year at university or colleges. This prepare them better when they further their studies after completing the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examinations, he said.

"The classroom settings has to go, too, to raise the image of Form Six, even the name Form Six needs to be changed," he said, while welcoming the prime minister's suggestion to impose these changes to boost the Form Six intake from 40,000 to 45,000.

Former Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said after a student completes their Form Five studies, they should not be tied down to the same rules and curriculum of a regular school.

"Form Six is the time for them to learn about the university system. In universities, lecturers deliver lessons and students must do further references at the library with books or on the internet, as well as tutorials."

He said teachers should guide the students and focus be given to more activities, discussions, question-and-answers sessions to stimulate critical thinking and independent learning.

Alimuddin emphasised the importance of exposing Six Formers to visits to important institutions such as the Parliament and National Archives, besides utilising the library and conducting seminars.

"There are plenty of resources in these places. The National Library has tens of thousands of books where they can find their materials and spark discussions on it.

He agreed with opinions that the uniforms and lesson times for Six Formers could be different as compared to regular schools.

"In schools, Form Six students are idolised by students at lower forms as it is not easy to get a place in Form Six. Only the best in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations get in.

"So they are respected and they know they cannot do as they wish as they are being watched," he added. - NST