Johor school gains upper hand in science
Teacher’s dedication to implement learning methods has brought huge transformation
JOHOR BARU
TH E Tr u s t S c h o o l P rogramme by Yayasan AMIR has helped SJK (T) Kangkar Pulai near here to win various awards in science and innovation.
This success was driven by the dedication of teacher S. Gomathy, 43, who implemented exciting elements in the teaching and learning of science among her pupils.
Gomathy, a mother of two, said each pupil needed to be given the opportunity to voice their opinion and unleash their potential.
The recipient of the 2017 Johor SJK (T) Teacher’s Icon Award said despite shouldering additional duties under the programme, they were worth it because the transformation that it brought was remarkable, especially in the pupils’ development and achievement.
“The Trust School Programme is also a platform to support the holistic development of pupils. Through this programme, teachers are guided to 21st Century learning methods by consultants,” she said.
“I learned a lot about the teaching and learning methods at international schools, which are then implemented in my school.
“Pupils are encouraged to think critically and they are given the opportunity to do their homework through discussions with other pupils.”
Gomathy said her pupils were taught to manage their learning sessions after the teachers gave a brief explanation.
“It builds their communication skills and self-confidence.”
SJK (T) Kangkar Pulai was among 83 schools selected for the Trust School Programme in 2011.
It was among 10 pioneers chosen from schools i n Johor and Sarawak.
Among the accolades that the school had achieved under the guidance of Gomathy were gold prizes for projects entitled “Plastics vs Environment” in 2015 and “Utilising Disposable Diapers in Small Gardens” this year at the Johor International Invention, Innovation & Design Competition.
The school had also won more than 100 awards in competitions at local and international levels.
Gomathy said her pupils were given ample time to complete their tasks for best performance.
She said several approaches were also introduced, including a “reward system” that acknowledged pupils as “The Best Scientist of the Week”, as well as the usage of role cards to assign pupils their duties in projects.
“As a teacher, I will identify and understand my pupils based on their strength and weaknesses. If the pupils are shy, I will encourage them to speak up.
“Besides that, I will also train pupils to abide by rules when completing their assignments. This will prepare them to be responsible and not break promises.”
Through this, she said, they would learn to honour their assignments’ schedule. To make it easier for pupils to understand science, she also taught certain topics through songs so it would be easier to remember facts.
Gomathy has an illustrious background in the teaching profession, having won the Education Ministry’s Excellent Service Award in 2004, 2008 and 2014.
Yayasan AMIR is a foundation established by Khazanah Nasional Bhd in 2010.