KUCHING: The state Education Department will focus on the theme “Terus Menjulang Sarawak” (Keep Uplifting Sarawak) this year.

In line with this, it has set up task forces at departmental level and in all district education offices to address schooling-related issues.

“This will be done by identifying, preventing and overcoming issues which crop up before the new school session starts, based on the ePerlu data and monitoring system.

“The Touch Point concept of one desk, one chair and one set of textbooks per student will also continue to be given priority to ensure that all basic needs are ready on the first day of school,” state education director Abdillah Adam said in a statement yesterday.

He said the department was committed to implementing the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sept 11.

The blueprint aims to transform education by emphasising the quality of teaching and learning and to produce knowledgeable students who can think critically, communicate effectively and have ethical values.

“We have come up with proactive steps to support this policy. The blueprint’s aims have been spread to all district education officers while briefings will continue to be held,” he said.

On curriculum, Abdillah said primary schools would continue to use the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR), which was introduced in 2011, up to Year Three this year, while preschools would use the Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan (KSPK).

“Children aged five and six are targeted for the KSPK programme, which focuses on socio-emotional, spiritual, physical, cognitive and character development as well as preparation for primary school,” he said.

He added that SMK St Teresa here had been selected as the state’s pioneer school for all subjects under the new Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah (KSSM), which is set to be introduced in secondary schools nationwide starting 2014.

“We hope SMK St Teresa will become the main reference school for the implementation of the KSSM in Sarawak,” he said.

Abdillah also said the department would continue its Omnipresence programme, which was introduced last year, to enhance safety by having police and Rela personnel on duty in schools at selected times.

This programme is currently implemented in 23 schools.

Meanwhile, championships in 24 sports will be held from February to April to select athletes who will represent Sarawak School Sports Council (MSS Sarawak) at national-level competitions to be held between March and June.

Potential athletes in sports such as football, athletics, sepak takraw and netball can apply to join the special programme at SMK Tabuan Jaya, the state’s sports school.

Abdillah said the department would also host several national-level programmes, including the Parliament-style Bahasa Melayu debate competition and Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) tennis championship.

On the new school-based assessment system, he said training programmes would be held for main trainers and teachers for Year Four and Form Three subjects.

“We have identified a primary school and a secondary school in each district to be model schools for the system. The model schools will serve as a benchmark for other schools in the district in terms of giving advice and guidance,” he said.

For more information, students, parents and the public can go to the department’s website at www.moe.gov.my/jpnsarawak.

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