Workbook warning to teachers, HMs
THE Education Ministry will from next year penalise primary school teachers and headmasters who tell pupils to buy unapproved workbooks.
ADDITIONAL workbooks not approved by the Education Ministry are no longer allowed to be used in primary schools beginning next year.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said failure to abide by the latest rule could lead to disciplinary action against teachers and headmasters.
Chong said pupils should not be burdened with workbooks that were not part of the curriculum.
He said only Years Four, Five and Six pupils required workbooks for Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese, Tamil, Mathematics and Science.
“Teachers are not allowed to suggest unnecessary books for pupils to buy.
“Years One, Two and Three pupils do not need to use any workbooks.
“Starting next year, the ministry will go all out to penalise teachers and headmasters who fail to comply with the new rule.
“Penalties will range from warnings to disciplinary action,” Chong told a press conference yesterday.
The ministry had sent out 12 circulars since last year to remind teachers and headmasters not to advise students to purchase unapproved workbooks for use in class.
Chong said additional workbooks had led to the “heavy bag phenomenon” prevalent in national-type Chinese schools.
“It’s a pity to see some of the students carrying not just one, but two bags loaded with unnecessary workbooks.”
The instruction to disallow such workbooks was in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint, which was designed to promote the aspect of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS).
“We do not want our students to be confined to lessons and workbook exercises.
“We no longer want students to be exam-oriented. Teachers must cultivate HOTS.
“We want them to be creative and innovative. Answering questions in their workbooks alone will not help.”
He also advised parents to understand that there was no need to buy many books.
“There were also incidents where parents called teachers lazy because they did not require their students to get many books.
“Parents should understand that books given by the ministry are sufficient.
“However, parents are free to buy as many workbooks for their children to be used at home, but not in school.”