Education Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh interacting with the Explore Merdeka participants before flagging off.
THE Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Education Department (JPWPKL) held its second Merdeka Exploration Programme @ Museum 2024 on Aug 29 as a follow up to the positive reception the event received last year.
Officiated by Education Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh at the National Museum and Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, the event was aimed at inculcating a healthy and active lifestyle among Malaysians as well as a love for gaining knowledge and learning.
This annual programme was organised by JPWPKL’s Learning Section, which is under the Education Ministry (KPM) and ran in collaboration with the Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM), which is under the Unity Ministry.
The event also made it into the Malaysia’s Book of Records, with an attendance of approximately 1078 students from seven states.
It aims to empower teachers to produce creative and innovative teaching and learning based on cross-curricular elements, with hopes of attracting the students’ interest for teaching and learning while promoting a healthy lifestyle through recreation and sports.
Studies show that individual involvement in physical activities can provide many benefits physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This activity is a practical step to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, obesity and others among teachers and students.
It also helps to foster a spirit of patriotism as it coincides with the month-long celebration of Independence for the whole of August this year.
The event takes participants on a cross-curricular journey with the purpose of increasing interest in learning.
Towards better learning
Following this year’s chosen theme of a “Dream Career”, participants were encouraged to dress up in their desired career attire, infusing the fun aspect of a fancy-dress party to the occasion.
JPWPKL learning sector’s education deputy director Abdul Aziz Hashim shared that the programme included new components that involved technical and vocational education and training (TVET); science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and English, aligning with the ministry’s policy.
Other agencies also took part with their own exhibits, which served to create an enjoyable learning environment for the students and teachers.
“This programme strives to empower teachers to create creative, innovative and meaningful teaching methods based on cross-curricular elements for the purpose of increasing interest in learning among students,” said Abdul Aziz.
“It is an effort that is useful when educating the next generation, especially school students, to recognise, appreciate and preserve World Heritage representations of their country.
“It also aligns with the Education Ministry’s wish for prioritising humanistic education and character development.”
He added that the programme could help instil noble values in students to cultivate a lifelong learning culture, strengthen social harmony, and inculcate a generation with high empathy and a love for peace.
“This programme provides direct exposure to teachers and students of the potential educational resources that are available at the museum.
“Exploring this can stimulate the students’ interest in learning, especially in History—a compulsory subject to pass in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.”
Students participating in the exploration activity dressed in their dream job attire.
Successful collaboration
Abdul Aziz added that the programme is a jump-off point for JPWPKL and JMM to continue working together to provide quality education to Malaysian children.
He added that KPM hopes that programmes such as Merdeka Exploration can inspire teachers and students to continue striving for knowledge in various fields and to use archival institutions like museums as an avenue for them to enrich their minds.
KPM is committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning while emphasising unity and a spirit of love for the country.National Museum director Zamrul Amri Zakaria said that “[The programme] is a cross-departmental synergy held for the second time between the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department and the Department of Museums Malaysia through the National Museum.
“Following the success of the first programme, we at the National Museum were very pleased to continue this collaboration to make this a success in 2024.”
He shared that the idea to proceed with a second year of the programme was mooted by JPWPKL and after several rounds of discussions and presentations, his team were ready to lend their support and to realise the programme with different concepts and activities.
Zamrul explained that the National Museum was tasked with organising the Museum Exploration activity and that involved four different museums: the National Museum, the Malay World Ethnology Museum, the Orang Asli Crafts Museum, the Music Museum, as well as the “Our King” Exhibition.
Each group participating in the programme has to answer questions related to the exhibition and the collection within a specified time.
Encouraging discovery
The programme could also help boost social skills and teamwork among teachers and students as they explore learning outside the classroom, in other places of learning, such as the National Museum, National Archives or heritage sites.
Such activities could empower inquiry-based PdP approaches to produce creative and critical-thinking students.
National Museum deputy director Nor Hanisah Ahmad said that the National Museum is open to collaborating with parties that are interested in implementing programmes that uphold history, heritage, arts, culture and nature.
“Any party interested in collaborating with the National Museum should send an application letter along with a working paper to the JMM director-general,” she added.
Zamrul hoped more will support the National Museum by visiting it frequently or by participating in any of its programmes. “Information on programmes and developments of the National Museum can be accessed on the National Museum website or official National Museum social media,” he said.
